Reproduction device, optical disc, recording medium, program, and reproduction method

ABSTRACT

A playback apparatus not only plays back an AV stream recorded on a BD-ROM but also downloads an update kit from a WWW server ( 500 ) and writes it on a local HD ( 12 ). The AV stream stored in the local HD ( 12 ) includes an audio stream for an additional language. A control unit ( 16 ) reads the AV stream recorded on the BD-ROM and the AV stream recorded in the local HD ( 12 ) in units of access units. An audio decoder ( 6 ) obtains a necessary audio frame from the access units read from the BD-ROM and the local HD ( 12 ) and plays it back. A video decoder ( 4 ) obtains video data from the access unit read from the BD-ROM and plays it back.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to playback apparatuses for playing backvideo data recorded on an optical disc such as a Blu-Ray Disc Read OnlyMemory (BD-ROM) and to optical discs, and also relates to a techniquefor playing back movie productions and the like distributed on opticaldiscs.

BACKGROUND ART

When movie productions are to be distributed, a great difficulty isposed by language differences. In order to set aside time for producingaudio dubbing and subtitles, the movie industry has adopted a businessmethod by which optical discs are distributed in the U.S.A. first, anddistribution timing of optical discs in non-English regions isstaggered, for example for Western Europe and Japan, and for EasternEurope and other Asian countries. (This business method is called“time-shift”.) With the use of this time-shift method, movie productionsare distributed to each of different regions in the world, with Englishaudio and/or subtitles and the audio and/or subtitles in the nativelanguage of the region. It should be noted that Japanese Patent No.2,821,020, discloses an example of the prior art related to techniquesfor playing back audio and playing back sub-images on DVDs.

There are users, not so large in number but definitely in any countryand region, who desire to own an optical disc in a version that is notdistributed in his/her own country or region. A typical example is thatthere are some users who purchase a translated version of an opticaldisc in their second language besides English and their native languagein order to learn the second language. Inmost cases, however, the placeswhere such discs on which a movie production is recorded in a secondlanguage are sold are limited to the areas where the language is spoken,and it is difficult for most users to purchase such a disc in his/herown country. In addition, even if a user orders such a disc from thearea where the language is spoken, the user may not be able to play backthe disc on the playback apparatus he/she owns, due to the region coderestriction.

The second languages users wish to learn are, for example, Japanese,German, French, Chinese, Russian, and there is a wide range in variationof languages for different users. It is a large burden on distributorsto keep the lineup of products so as to cover all different languages.It is also an extremely high marketing risk for distributors to bringproducts in only certain languages into markets. Using discs forlearning languages is a mere example, and there are some users in anycountry for sure who wish to have a disc in a version that is notdistributed in their own country. Conventionally, there is no techniquethat makes it possible for distributors to meet such demand of theusers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a playback apparatusthat is able to satisfy a user who wishes to have a disc in a versionthat is not distributed in his/her own country.

The object is achieved by a playback apparatus for an optical disc onwhich a first digital stream is recorded, the playback apparatuscomprising: a first reading unit operable to read the first digitalstream, part by part, from the optical disc; a control unit operable tospecify, from a secondary recording medium, a second digital stream thatis in correspondence with the first digital stream; a second readingunit operable to read the specified second digital stream, part by part,from the secondary recording medium, in accordance with control by thecontrol unit; and a playback unit operable to play back, insynchronization, data included in a part read from the optical disc anddata included in a part read from the secondary recording medium.

With this arrangement, on an assumption that the second digital streamis a version for a second language besides a native language, the seconddigital stream is read from the secondary recording medium, part bypart. In parallel, the first digital stream recorded on the optical discis read, part by part. By taking out necessary pieces of data from apart read from the secondary recording medium and from a part read fromthe optical disc and having the playback unit play back the pieces ofdata in synchronization with each other, it is possible to play back themain body of the first digital stream while it is accompanied byplayback of audio or a subtitle in the second language version. It ispossible to establish a new form of business in which such an additionalsecond digital stream is sold via the Internet so that update kits in asecond language version are sold by a small quantity to users in theworld who wish to have the second language for the purposes of learningthe language. When such a form of business is established, it can be anew source of profits with movie productions.

It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the playback unitincludes: a first demultiplexer operable to demultiplex the part of thefirst digital stream to obtain pieces of video data and pieces of firstaudio data; a second demultiplexer operable to demultiplex the part ofthe second digital stream to obtain pieces of second audio data; a videodecoder operable to decode video data; an audio decoder; and a supplyingsubunit operable to supply either the pieces of first audio data or thepieces of second audio data to the audio decoder, wherein the playbackunit achieves the playback in synchronization by, in a case where thepieces of second audio data are supplied to the audio decoder,synchronizing the decoding of each piece of second audio data by theaudio decoder with the decoding of each piece of video data by the videodecoder.

With this arrangement, on an assumption that the second digital streamis a version for a second language besides a native language, it ispossible to play back the audio data included in the second digitalstream in synchronization with the video data included in the firstdigital stream. Since it is possible to practice listening comprehensionin the second language while viewing the moving picture of a movieproduction, leaning efficiency of the second language will be enhanced.By using this learning efficiency as a selling point, distributors willbe able to make large profits by selling the second digital stream asupdate kits to users in the world who wish to learn the second language.

It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the part of the firstdigital stream and the part of the second digital stream are each apacket sequence, the first demultiplexer performs the demultiplexing ata time indicated by a time stamp on each packet, and the seconddemultiplexer performs the demultiplexing at a time obtained by adding apredetermined offset to a time indicated by a time stamp on each packet.

With this arrangement, since the two digital streams are synchronizedwith each other at a stage of being demultiplexed, even if the readingof one digital stream from the optical disc is not performed in parallelwith the reading of the other digital stream from the secondaryrecording medium, it is possible to supply pieces of data to the audiodecoder while keeping them in synchronization.

In addition, even if master clocks referred to during the encodingprocess are different from each other, it is possible to supply piecesof data to the audio decoder while keeping them in synchronization.

It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the part of the firstdigital stream and the part of the second digital stream are each apacket sequence, the video decoder decodes each of the pieces of videodata included in the first digital stream at a time indicated by a timestamp on a packet in which the respective piece of video data isincluded, and the audio decoder decodes each of the pieces of secondaudio data included in the second digital stream at a time obtained byadding a predetermined offset to a time indicated by a time stamp on apacket in which the respective piece of second audio data is included.

With this arrangement, since the two digital streams are synchronizedwith each other at a stage of being decoded, even if the reading of onedigital stream from the optical disc is not performed exactly inparallel with the reading of the other digital stream from the secondaryrecording medium, the audio decoder is able to decode the audio insynchronization with the decoding of the video data. In addition, evenif master clocks referred to during the encoding process are differentfrom each other, the audio decoder is able to decode the audio whilekeeping it in synchronization.

It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the playback apparatuscomprises a system register that stores therein a parameter showing astatus setting of the playback apparatus, wherein whether the audiodecoder decodes the pieces of first audio data belonging to the firstdigital stream or the pieces of second audio data belonging to thesecond digital stream is determined according to the parameter in thesystem register.

With this arrangement, depending on the status setting of the playbackapparatus, it is possible to switch between the audio in the firstdigital stream and the audio in the second digital stream; therefore, itis possible to treat the second digital stream on the secondaryrecording medium and the first digital stream on the optical discaltogether as one.

It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the secondary recordingmedium has playlist information recorded thereon, the playlistinformation showing a starting point and an ending point of a playbacksection in the first digital stream in correspondence with a startingpoint and an ending point of a playback section in the second digitalstream, the playback apparatus comprises a playback control unitoperable to interpret the playlist information, and the readings by thefirst and the second reading units and the playback by the playback unitare performed based on a result of the interpretation by the playbackcontrol unit.

With this arrangement, it is possible to, not only bring the first andsecond digital streams in correspondence with each other, but also tospecify, in a case where a logical playback section is specified in thefirst digital stream, a section in the second digital stream thatcorresponds to the logical playback section in the first digital stream;therefore, it is possible to realize synchronized playback in units oflogical sections.

It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the package managementinformation further includes alternative information, the playbackcontrol unit checks, prior to the interpretation of the playlistinformation, if the playlist information is damaged, and in a case wherethe playlist information is damaged, the playback control unitinterprets playlist information indicated by the alternativeinformation.

With this arrangement, it is possible to recover data in a case wherethe playlist information on the secondary recording medium is damaged;therefore, it is possible to assure stable playback.

It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the secondary recordingmedium has a program recorded thereon, the program showing a procedurefor playback control of the first and the second digital streams usingthe playlist information, the playback apparatus comprises an executionmodule for executing the program recorded on the secondary recordingmedium, and the playback control unit interprets the playlistinformation based on a function call within the program.

With this arrangement, by referring to the program, it is possible toadd, in a post factum manner, what procedure is used to perform theplayback using the playlist information, after the optical disc isreleased. Thus, it is beneficial for after-sales services provided afterthe optical disc is sold.

It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the secondary recordingmedium has a plurality of package areas each of which is assigned to adifferent one of a plurality of optical discs to be mounted to theplayback apparatus, when an optical disc is mounted to the playbackapparatus, the control unit controls the first reading unit so thatmedium information is read from the mounted optical disc and specifies,out of the plurality of package areas in the secondary recording medium,a package area that corresponds to the read medium information, and thesecond digital stream read by the second reading unit exists in thespecified package area.

With this arrangement, it is possible to have a plurality of opticaldiscs mounted to the playback apparatus and to record an updated versionof each of the optical discs.

It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the optical disc hasplaylist information, a program, and package management informationrecorded thereon, the playlist information shows a starting point and anending point of a playback section in the first digital stream incorrespondence with a starting point and an ending point of a playbacksection in the second digital stream, the program shows a procedure forplayback control of the first and the second digital streams using theplaylist information, the package management information is managementinformation for the first digital stream, the second digital stream, theplaylist information, and the program, the control unit controls thesecond reading unit so that any of the playlist information, theprogram, and the package management information that exists within thepackage area is read from the package area into the memory, and thecontrol unit controls the first reading unit so that any of the playlistinformation, the program, and the package management information thatdoes not exist in the package area is read from the optical disc intothe memory.

It is also acceptable to have an arrangement wherein in a case where theplaylist information or the program having an identification number incommon is recorded both on the optical disc and in the package area, thecontrol unit controls the second reading unit so that the playlistinformation or the program recorded in the package area is read into thememory, and in a case where the playlist information or the programhaving an identification number is recorded only on the optical disc,the control unit controls the first reading unit so that the playlistinformation or the program recorded on the optical disc is read into thememory.

With this arrangement, if a new updated version does not include one ormore of the playlist information, the program, and the packagemanagement information, it is possible to use data on the optical discto supplement what is missing; therefore, there is no need to transmitall of the data to the user as an updated version. Accordingly, since itis possible to minimize the volume of what is supplied to the user as anupdated version, the technique is suitable for transmission of updatedversions via the Internet.

The playback apparatus described above needs to perform the reading fromthe secondary recording medium in parallel with the reading from theoptical disc. In a case where the secondary recoding medium is an HD, anHD scan needs to be performed because it is necessary to (i) check if anupdated version exists in a directory somewhere in the HD and (ii)determine, if there are more than one updated version, which is thenewest updated version. When such an HD scan needs to be performed, ittakes a while between the loading of the optical disc and the start ofthe actual reading in parallel. The user who has loaded the optical diskonto the playback apparatus may feel an urge to view the movieproduction recorded on the optical disc as soon as possible. Users findit quite unpleasant to have a delay in the playback processing of anoptical disc, due to whether there is a possibility of upgrading to ahigher version or not.

In order to solve the problem mentioned here, the present inventionprovides an optical disc on which a first digital stream and a flag arerecorded, the flag indicating whether or not there is a possibility anupdated version of what is recorded on a recording medium is supplied,wherein the updated version includes a second digital stream andcorrespondence information which shows the first digital stream on theoptical disc in correspondence with the second digital stream.

With this arrangement, when an optical disc that has completely nopossibility of being upgraded to a higher version is loaded, it ispossible to start the playback of the digital streams recorded on theoptical disc immediately after the optical disc is loaded, withoutperforming an HD scan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment related to the usage of the playbackapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a BD-ROM;

FIG. 3 represents an application format of a BD-ROM, using a directorystructure;

FIG. 4 is a classification diagram in which files are classified interms of their functions;

FIG. 5 shows a layer model of software targeted by a BD-ROM;

FIG. 6 schematically shows how an AV stream is structured;

FIG. 7 schematically shows how an AV stream is recorded on a BD-ROM;

FIG. 8 shows the internal structure of stream management information;

FIG. 9 shows the internal structure of PL information;

FIG. 10 schematically shows an indirect reference with PL information;

FIG. 11 shows an example in which a PL different from the PL shown inFIG. 10 is defined;

FIG. 12 shows the internal structure of the playback apparatus 200;

FIG. 13 shows in comparison an AV stream in a BD-ROM package and an AVstream in an update kit;

FIG. 14 shows in comparison the substance of an ACCESS UNIT in a BD-ROMpackage (XXX. TS) and the substance of an ACCESS UNIT in an update kit(UXX. TS);

FIG. 15 shows stream management information in an update kit;

FIG. 16 shows in comparison packets that constitute an ACCESS UNIT on aBD-ROM and packets that constitute an ACCESS UNIT in an update kit;

FIG. 17 shows the internal structure of PL information (UYY.PL);

FIG. 18 shows an indirect reference with UYY.PL, describing in the samemanner as FIG. 10;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart that shows the processing procedure performed bythe control unit 16 according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 20 shows the reading process in Steps S4 through S11;

FIG. 21 shows what kind of audio playback is achieved as a result of theoutput switching shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 shows how an ACCESS UNIT is structured in an AV stream accordingto the second embodiment;

FIG. 23 shows in comparison the substance of an ACCESS UNIT in a BD-ROMpackage (XXX. TS) and the substance of an ACCESS UNIT in an update kit(UXX.TS), describing in the same manner as FIG. 14;

FIG. 24 shows the internal structure of PL information included in anupdate kit according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 25 shows speech information;

FIG. 26 shows the internal structure of the playback apparatus accordingto the second embodiment;

FIG. 27 shows the processing procedure performed by the control unit 16according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 28 shows the reading process performed by the control unit 16 toread from a BD-ROM and from the HD;

FIG. 29 shows what kind of subtitle display is achieved as a result ofthe output switching shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30A shows what is recorded on a BD-ROM according to the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 30B shows what is recorded on the HD according to the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 31 shows how the positions of the ILVUs constituting the multiangle section shown in FIG. 30 are managed;

FIG. 32 shows the structure of the stream management informationaccording to the third embodiment;

FIG. 33 shows the internal structure of the PL information according tothe third embodiment;

FIG. 34 schematically shows indirect reference with Angle Entriesincluded in PL information;

FIG. 35 shows the internal structure of the playback apparatus accordingto the third embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a flow chart that shows the processing procedure performed bythe control unit 16 according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 37 shows the process of parallel reading performed by the switch 18to read from a BD-ROM and from the HD;

FIG. 38 shows what video display is achieved as a result of the outputswitching shown in FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 shows a home theater system according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 40 shows stream management information according to the fourthembodiment;

FIG. 41 shows PL information according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 42 shows the internal structure of the playback apparatus accordingto the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 43 shows the processing procedure performed by the control unit 16according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 44 shows the details of the fourth layer in a layer model;

FIG. 45A shows an example of description of a dynamic scenario;

FIG. 45B shows another dynamic scenario that can be used in place of thedynamic scenario shown in FIG. 45A;

FIG. 46A shows the playback procedure with a dynamic scenario recordedon a BD-ROM;

FIG. 46B shows the playback procedure with a dynamic scenario includedin an update kit;

FIG. 47 shows the internal structure of the playback apparatus accordingto the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 48A shows what is recorded on a BD-ROM;

FIG. 48B shows an update kit for the BD-ROM shown in FIG. 48A;

FIG. 49A and FIG. 49B schematically show the playback procedure realizedwith a dynamic scenario recorded on a BD-ROM and a dynamic scenarioincluded in an update kit;

FIG. 50A shows PL #1, PL #2, and a dynamic scenario that are recorded ona BD-ROM;

FIG. 50B shows an update kit;

FIG. 51A shows a dynamic scenario that defines the playback order (PL#1, PL #2);

FIG. 51B shows the playback procedure with a replacement dynamicscenario;

FIG. 52 shows a directory structure of an ED according to the sixthembodiment;

FIG. 53 shows the internal structure of INFO.BD;

FIG. 54 shows the processing procedure by the module manager 26according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 55A and FIG. 55B show the processing procedure by the modulemanager 26 according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 56 schematically shows the process of reading files stored on aBD-ROM, in the Version 1 directory, and in the Version 2 directory;

FIG. 57 shows the structure of a virtual package table;

FIG. 58 shows the structure of a virtual package table for INFO.BDs;

FIG. 59 is a flow chart that shows the processing procedure by themodule manager 26 according to the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 60 shows a screen showing a list in Step S82;

FIG. 61 is a flow chart that shows the processing procedure by themodule manager 26 according to the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 62 shows the structure of the playback apparatus 200 according tothe ninth embodiment;

FIG. 63 shows a variation of PL information; and

FIG. 64A and FIG. 64B show variations for the internal structure of theplayback apparatus 200.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

The following describes an embodiment of the recording medium accordingto the present invention. First of all, among different actions with theplayback apparatus of the present invention, an embodiment of usage willbe explained. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment related to the usage of theplayback apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the playbackapparatus of the present invention is the playback apparatus 200. Theplayback apparatus 200, the television 300, and the remote controller400 form a home theater system. The BD-ROM 100 is a recording medium tosupply a movie production to this home theater system. The playbackapparatus 200 serves to play back the movie production recorded on theBD-ROM 100, according to a user operation on the remote controller 400.

The home theater system is characterized with that the playbackapparatus 200 is connected with a WWW server 500 via a network. Inresponse to a request from the playback apparatus. 200, the WWW server500 transmits an update kit for what is recorded on the BD-ROM 100 tothe playback apparatus 200. When the update kit has been transmitted,the playback apparatus 200 dynamically combines the update kit with whatis recorded on the BD-ROM 100 and performs the playback of a package ina virtual version (called a “virtual package”).

A virtual package is a package being virtual to be supplied to a user inwhich what is recorded on the BD-ROM 100 is dynamically combined with anupdate kit. In contrast to a virtual package, what is recorded on aBD-ROM as a whole is called a BD-ROM package.

The following describes a BD-ROM package, with reference to FIGS. 2through 11.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of a BD-ROM. In the drawing, the level 4shows the BD-ROM, and the level 3 shows the track on the BD-ROM. In thedrawing, the track that actually forms a spiral from the innercircumference to the outer circumference of the BD-ROM is shown as beingstretched sideways. The track includes a lead-in area, a volume area,and a lead-out area. The volume area shown in the drawing has a layermodel with a physical layer, a file system layer, and an applicationlayer. An optical disc according to the present embodiment can beindustrially manufactured by forming a data format as shown in FIG. 2 onan application layer of a BD-ROM.

FIG. 3 represents an application format of a BD-ROM, using a directorystructure. As shown in the drawing, below a ROOT directory in the BD-ROMis a BD-AV directory, and below the BD-AV directory is a JCLASSdirectory and a BROWSER directory.

Subordinate to the BD-AV directory are disposed files such as INFO. BD,XXX. M2TS, XX. CLPI, YYY. PL, and ZZZ. MOVIE. Subordinate to the JCLASSdirectory is disposed a file called ZZZ. CLASS, and subordinate to theBROWSER directory is disposed a file called ZZZ.HTML.

FIG. 4 is a classification diagram in which files are classified interms of their functions. In the drawing, the hierarchy formed with thefirst, second, third, and fourth layers symbolically shows theclassifications in the diagram. In the drawing, XXX.M2TS is grouped inthe second layer. XXX.CLPI and YYY.PL are grouped in the third layer(static scenarios). ZZZ.MOVIE, which is subordinate to the BD-AVdirectory, ZZZ. CLASS, which is subordinate to the JCLASS directory,ZZZ.HTM, which is subordinate to the BROWSER directory are grouped inthe fourth layer.

The classifications in the drawing (the first to fourth layers) target alayer model such as shown in FIG. 5. A layer model in control softwarethat is targeted by a BD-ROM is described below while referring to FIG.5.

The first layer in FIG. 5 is a physical layer in which supply controlsrelating to streams targeted for processing are implemented. As shown inthe first layer, target streams have as their supply source not onlyBD-ROMs but also HDs (hard disks), memory cards, networks and otherkinds of recording and communication media. Controls (disk access, cardaccess and network communication) directed towards the supply sourcesuch as HDs, memory cards, and networks are implemented on the firstlayer.

The second layer is a decoding format layer. This second layer is wherethe decoding format used in decoding streams supplied by the first layeris defined. The MPEG-2 decoding format is employed in the presentembodiment.

The third layer (static scenarios) defines the static scenarios ofstreams. Static scenarios are playback path information and streammanagement information defined in advance by the disk creator, the thirdlayer (static scenarios) being where playback controls based on thesestatic scenarios are defined.

The fourth layer is for realizing dynamic scenarios in streams. Dynamicscenarios are scenarios for dynamically changing the progress ofplayback as a result of user operations, the apparatus status, and thelike, the fourth layer being where playback controls based on thesedynamic scenarios are defined. Files relating to streams and staticscenarios are described below in accordance with this layer model.

Firstly, a stream (XXX.M2TS) belonging to the second layer is described.

The AV stream (XXX.M2TS) is an MPEG-TS (transport stream) format digitalstream obtained by multiplexing a video stream, one or more audiostreams, and one or more sub-image streams. Video streams show themoving image portions of a movie, audio streams show the audio portionsof a movie, and sub-image streams show the subtitles of a movie. FIG. 6schematically shows how an AV stream is structured.

An AV stream (the level 4) is formed by converting a video streamcomprising a plurality of video frames (pictures pj1, pj2, pj3) and anaudio stream comprising a plurality of audio frames (the level 1) into aPES packet sequence (the level 2), which is then converted to TS packets(the level 3). Likewise, a sub-image stream (the level 7) is convertedinto a PES packet sequence (the level 6), which is converted to TSpackets (the level 5), and they are then multiplexed. The multiplexinginvolves arranging TS packets storing video frames and TS packetsstoring audio frames, so that audio frames are positioned close to videoframes that are to be read from the BD-ROM at the same time as the audioframes.

An AV stream generated through the above process is portioned into aplurality of extents and recorded in an area of a BD-ROM, in the samemanner as normal computer files. FIG. 7 schematically shows how an AVstream is recorded on a BD-ROM.

The length of each of the extents constituting the AV stream and atwhich address in the BD-ROM each of the extents is recorded aredescribed in the file management information fk1.

The file management information fk1 describes, for each of the extents1, 2, and 3 that are obtained by portioning the AV stream, the addressof the extent (adr 1, adr 2, and adr 3) and the length of the extent(length 1, length 2, and length 3). An AV stream comprises one or moreACCESS UNITs, and can be cued in these ACCESS UNITs. An ACCESS UNIT isthe smallest decoding unit that includes a single GOP (group ofpictures) and audio frames to be read at the same time as the GOP. GOPsinclude bi-directionally predictive (B) pictures, which are compressedusing time-correlation characteristics with images to be played in apast direction and a future direction, predictive (P) pictures, whichare compressed using time-correlation characteristics with images to beplayed in a past direction, and intra (I) pictures, which are compressedusing spatial-frequency characteristics (i.e. not time-correlationcharacteristics) in the images of individual frames.

Moreover, the file name “XXX” in XXX.M2TS abstracts the 3-digitidentification number appended to the AV stream in the BD-ROM. That is,the AV stream in the drawing is uniquely identified using the “XXX”.Thus, the description of the stream (XXX.M2TS) is completed. It shouldbe noted that the 3-digit number referred to here is merely exemplary,and may be any length.

Static Scenarios

The files (XXX.CLPI, YYY.PL), which are static scenarios, are describednext.

Stream management information (XXX.CLPI) is management informationrelating to individual AV streams. FIG. 8 shows the internal structureof stream management information. An AV stream is obtained bymultiplexing video and audio streams, and since an AV stream can be cuedin ACCESS UNITs, management items of the stream management informationinclude what attributes the video and audio streams have and where thecue positions are in the AV stream. The leaders in the drawing highlightthe stream management information structure. As shown by the leader hn1,the stream management information (XXX.CLPI) comprises “attributeinformation” relating to video and audio streams, and “TMAP”, which is areference table for cueing ACCESS UNITS.

Attribute information (Attribute), as shown by the leader hn2, comprisesattribute information relating to a video stream (Video attributeinformation), an attribute information number (Number), and attributeinformation relating to each of a plurality of audio streams multiplexedon the AV stream (Audio attribute information #1-#m). The managementinformation on video streams, as shown by the leader hn3, shows thecompression format used to compress the video stream (Coding), and theresolution (Resolution), the aspect ratio (Aspect), and the frame rate(Framerate) of individual pieces of picture data structuring the videostream.

On the other hand, attribute information relating to the audio streams(Audio attribute information #1-#M), as shown by the leader hn4, showsthe compression format used to compress the respective audio streams(Coding), and the channel number (Ch.) and the corresponding language(Lang.) of respective audio streams.

The time map (TMAP) is a reference table for referring indirectly to theaddresses of a plurality of cue positions using time information, and,as shown by the leader hn5, comprises a plurality of pieces of ENTRYinformation (ACCESS UNIT #1 ENTRY information, ACCESS UNIT #2 ENTRYinformation, ACCESS UNIT #3 ENTRY information, . . . ) and an entryinformation number (Number). Each piece of ENTRY information, as shownby the leader hn6, shows a playback time period (Duration) of acorresponding ACCESS UNIT in correspondence with the data size (Size) ofthe corresponding ACCESS UNIT. Because of employing a variable-lengthcoding compression format, it is possible to cue from an arbitraryplayback time to a piece of picture data in an ACCESS UNIT correspondingto the playback time by referring to the ENTRY information of the ACCESSUNIT, even when sizes and playback times of ACCESS UNITs that includeGOPs are not uniform. Moreover, the filename “XXX” of XXX.CLPI uses thesame name as the AV stream to which the stream management informationcorresponds. In other words, the file name of the AV stream in thedrawing, being “XXX”, corresponds to the AV stream “XXX.M2TS”. Thusconcludes the description of the stream management information. Playlistinformation is described next.

YYY.PL (PlayList information) is a table structuring a PlayList, whichis a playback path, and comprises a CellList. FIG. 9 shows the internalstructure of PL information.

The CellList includes a plurality of pieces of CELL information (CELLinformation #1, #2, #3, . . . #n) and a CELL information number(NUMBER). Each piece of CELL information is pointer information thatdefines one or more playback logical sections structuring a PlayList.The structure of CELL information is highlighted by the leader hs1. TheCELL information is, as shown by the leader ha1, structured from an “AVStream Name” showing the name of the AV stream to which the In-point andout-point of a playback section belong, “IN point information” showingthe start of a playback section, and “Out point information”, showingthe end of the playback section.

A characteristic of the CELL information is the notation. That is,playback sections are defined by an indirect referencing format thatuses a time map as a reference table. FIG. 10 schematizes indirectreferencing using PL information. The AV stream in the drawing isstructured from a plurality of ACCESS UNITs. The TMAP in the streammanagement information specifies the sector addresses of the ACCESSUNITS, as shown by the arrows ay1, ay2, ay3, and ay4. Arrows jy1, jy2,jy3, and jy4 in the drawing schematically show the referencing of ACCESSUNITs using CELL information. In other words, this shows thatreferencing with the CELL information (the arrows jy1, jy2, jy3, andjy4) involves indirect referencing in which the addresses of ACCESSUNITs included in the AV stream are specified via the TMAP.

Playback sections on a BD-ROM formed from groupings of CELL information,stream management information, and AV stream are called “CELLs”. Logicalplayback units on a BD-ROM that are formed from groupings of PLinformation, stream management information and AV stream are called“PlayLists” (abbreviated as “PL”). Movie productions recorded on aBD-ROM are structured in these logical playback units (PLs). Since movieproductions on a BD-ROM are structured in logical playback units, it ispossible to easily create, as distinct from the main movie production,movie productions from scenes in which only certain characters appear,for instance, by defining the PLS specifying only such scenes in whichthose characters appear. FIG. 11 shows an example in which a PL (the PLinformation #2) different from the PL information (the PL information#1) shown in FIG. 10 is defined.

The greatest merit of static scenarios is being able to increase therange of a moviemaker's expression, since the variations of a movieproduction increase simply by defining different pieces of PLinformation.

As another example of playback units on a BD-ROM, there are “chapters”besides PLs and CELLs. A “chapter” is constituted with one or moreCELLS.

It should be noted that the file name “YYY” in PL information abstractsthe 3-digit identification number provided for the PL information in theBD-ROM. That is, the PL information in the drawing is uniquelyidentified using the identification number “YYY”. It should be notedthat an identification number of PL information is expressed as “YYY” inorder to indicate that the identification number of PL information has adifferent numbering system from the identification number XXX of AVstreams and AV stream management information. (The 3-digit numberreferred to here is merely exemplary, and may be any length.)

Thus, the description of the BD-ROM package is completed. The followingdescribes the internal structure of the playback apparatus 200. FIG. 12shows the internal structure of the playback apparatus 200. AS shown inthe drawing, the playback apparatus 200 comprises a BD drive 1, a BDbuffer 2, a demultiplexer 3, a video decoder 4, a picture plane 5, anaudio decoder 6, an image decoder 7, an image plane 8, an adder 9, astatic scenario memory 10, a download unit 11, a local HD 12, an HDbuffer 13, a demultiplexer 14, a switch 15, and a control unit 16.

The BD drive 1 performs loading/ejecting of BD-ROMs, and accesses loadedBD-ROMs.

The BD buffer 2 is a FIFO memory, and ACCESS UNITs read from a BD-ROMare stored in a first-in-first-out manner.

The demultiplexer 3 takes ACCESS UNITs out of the BD buffer 2 anddemultiplexes the ACCESS UNITs so as to obtain video frames and audioframes that constitute GOPs. The demultiplexer 3 outputs the videoframes to the video decoder 4, the audio frames to the audio decoder 6,and the sub-image stream to the image decoder 7. The demultiplexingprocess performed by the demultiplexer 3 includes a conversionprocessing to convert TS packets into PES packets. The demultiplexingprocess performed by the demultiplexer 3 is to take PES packets, whichare the payloads, out of TS packets constituting an AV stream that hasbeen read from a BD-ROM, to then take the main-body data (includingthree kinds of data such as video frames, audio frames and sub-imageunits), which is the payload, out of the PES packets, and to output themain-body data to the video decoder 4, the audio decoder 6, and theimage decoder 7, based on the TS packets attached to the TS packets. Ina case where the PID (Packet ID) attached to a TS packet indicates avideo stream, the main-body data of the PES packet is outputted to thevideo decoder 4. In a case where the PID indicates an audio stream, themain-body data is outputted to the audio decoder 6. The demultiplexingprocess of TS packets is performed with reference to a time stamp suchas PCR (Program Clock Reference) or ATS (Arrival Time Stamp) that isattached to each TS packet. That is to say, when the clock inside theplayback apparatus reaches the time indicated by the time stamp on a TSpacket, the demultiplexer 3 demultiplexes the TS packet as describedabove.

The video decoder 4 decodes the video frames outputted from thedemultiplexer 3 and writes pictures in an uncompressed format into thevideo plane 15.

The picture plane 5 is a memory for storing pictures in an uncompressedformat.

The audio decoder 6 decodes the audio frames outputted from thedemultiplexer 3 and outputs audio data in an uncompressed format.

The image decoder 7 expands sub-image streams that have been compressedand encoded and writes the expanded sub-image streams to the image plane8. As a result of the decoding of the sub-image streams, menus andsub-images are displayed on a screen.

The image plane 8 is a memory having an area for one screen of image.Expanded sub-image streams are arranged on the image plane 8.

The adder 9 combines the picture data in an uncompressed format storedin the picture plane 5 with the expanded image in the image plane 8 andoutputs the combined.

The static scenario memory 10 is a memory for storing “current PLinformation” and “current stream management information”. “Current PLinformation” denotes a piece of PL information that is currently atarget of processing, among a plurality of pieces of PL informationrecorded on a BD-ROM. “Current stream management information” denotes apiece of stream management information that is currently a target ofprocessing, among a plurality of pieces of stream management informationrecorded on a BD-ROM.

The download unit 11 performs FTP (File Transfer Protocol) communicationwith the WWW server 500 and downloads an update kit from the WWW server500 so as to write the downloaded update kit to the local HD 12.

The local HD 12 is a built-in disc device into which the update kit iswritten. In the drawing, a directory structure is drawn to fit insidethe local HD 12. In the directory structure in the local HD 12,subordinate to the ROOT directory is disposed the directory “abc” inwhich the update kit is disposed. The directory name “abc” in thedrawing is the same name as the volume label of the BD-ROM thatcorresponds to the update kit. That is to say, in the local HD 12, theupdate kit is recorded into the directory named “abc”, which is the samename as the volume label “abc”.

When downloading the update kit, the download unit 11 reads the volumelabel of the BD-ROM “abc” and generates a directory having the same name“abc” in the local HD 12. Subsequently, the download unit 11 accessesthe www server 500, downloads the update kit, and writes the downloadedupdate kit to the directory “abc” having the directory name being thesame as the volume label.

Inside the box with broken lines in the drawing shows the filesconstituting the update kit. As shown with the box with broken lines,the update kit is constituted with an additional AV stream “UXX.M2TS”,additional stream management information “UXX.CLPI”, and PL informationfor updating “UYY.PL”.

The HD buffer 13 is a buffer into which one of the ACCESS UNITsconstituting the additional stream (UXX.M2TS) recorded in the local HD12 is read, every time one of ACCESS UNITS constituting the AV streamrecorded on a BD-ROM is read into the BD buffer 2.

The demultiplexer 14 demultiplexes the ACCESS UNIT that is in an MPEG-TSformat and has been read into the HD buffer 13 so as to obtain databefore being multiplexed (In the case of the present embodiment, thedata is audio frames).

The switch 15 selectively outputs, to the audio decoder 6, one of theaudio frames in the access unit read into the BD butter 13 and the audioframes in the access unit read into the BD buffer 2. The switchingbetween the outputs is performed by the switch 15 based on SPRM (1)(audio stream number). SPRM (1) is a register by which the status of theplayback apparatus is shown.

The control unit 16 is a typical computer system that includes a CPU, aROM storing programs, and a RAM. The control unit 16 realizescomputation or processing of information that suits the purpose of usagethrough collaboration of the program and the hardware resources afterthe program stored in the ROM is read into the CPU. The purpose of usagemay be, for example, (i) to play back PLs recorded on a BD-ROM, (ii) todownload an update kit from the WWW server 500, (iii) to play back avirtual package in which a BD-ROM package and an update kit is combined.When a specific means in which a program and hardware resources (the BDdrive 1-the switch 15) collaborate achieves computation or processing ofinformation that suits the purpose of usage, a specific informationprocessing apparatus (the playback apparatus 200) that suits the purposeof usage is structured.

The control unit 16 has a built-in register (player register) that showsthe status setting of the playback apparatus 200. The player registerhas 32 System Parameter Registers and 32 General Purpose Registers. Whatis meant by the set values (SPRM) of the Player Status Registers areshown below. In the following section, SPRM(x) denotes a value set in anx'th Player Status Register.

-   SPRM(0): Reserved;-   SPRM(1): The stream number of an audio stream to be decoded;-   SPRM(2): The stream number of a sub-image stream to be decoded;-   SPRM(3): The number for an angle setting by the user;-   SPRM(4): The number of a title currently being a target of playback;-   SPRM(5): The number of a chapter currently being a target of    playback;-   SPRM(6): The number of a PL currently being a target of playback;-   SPRM(7): The number of a CELL currently being a target of playback;-   SPRM(8): The time information indicating a current playback point of    time;-   SPRM(9): The count value of the navigation timer;-   SPRM(10): The number of a button currently being selected;-   SPRM(11)-SPRM(12): Reserved;-   SPRM(13): A parental level setting by the user;-   SPRM(14): Setting related to image playback by the playback    apparatus;-   SPRM(15): Setting related to audio playback by the playback    apparatus;-   SPRM(16): A language code indicating the audio setting on the    playback apparatus;-   SPRM(17): A language code indicating the subtitle setting on the    playback apparatus;-   SPRM(18): A language setting for menu drawing;-   SPRM(19)-SPRM (31): Reserved

Here, SPRM(10) is updated every time each piece of picture databelonging to an AV stream is displayed. That is to say, when theplayback apparatus has a new piece of picture data displayed, SPRM(10)is updated to a value that indicates the display starting time(Presentation Time) of the new piece of picture data. By referring toSPRM(10), it is possible to find out the current playback point of time.

When setting SPRM, the control unit 16 displays a menu. This menu is forreceiving an audio setting, a subtitle setting, an angle setting, and aparental setting from the user. When the user performs an operation onthe menu, a value stored in a register is updated according to theoperation on the menu. SPRM is updated not only via the menu, but alsowhen the user performs an operation on the remote controller 400.

Thus, the description of the playback apparatus according to the presentembodiment is completed.

The following describes AV streams, stream management information, andPT information in an update kit stored in the local HD 12.

The AV stream (UXX.M2TS) in an update kit is for adding new audio to theAV stream recorded on a BD-ROM. FIG. 13 shows in comparison an AV streamin a BD-ROM package and an AV stream in an update kit. The AV stream inan update kit is made up of ACCESS UNITs that are equal in number to theACCESS UNITs that make up an AV stream in a BD-ROM package.

FIG. 14 shows in comparison the substance of an ACCESS UNIT in a BD-ROMpackage (XXX.TS) and the substance of an ACCESS UNIT in an update kit(UXX.TS). The upper level of FIG. 14 is an ACCESS UNIT on a HD-ROM. Thelower level is an ACCESS UNIT in an update kit. In the drawing, theACCESS UNITs #98, #99, #100, #101, and #102 are to be played back 1minute and 38 seconds, 1 minute and 39 seconds, 1 minute and 40 secondsand 1 minute and 41 seconds after the beginning of the playback of theAV stream, respectively. (In this example, the playback time of oneACCESS UNIT is approximated to one second).

As we focus on the ACCESS UNITS, the ACCESS UNIT #100 on the BD-ROM sideincludes a GOP to be played back at 1 minute and 40 seconds and an audioframe sequence (musical note symbols in the drawing) to be read at thattime. On the other hand, the ACCESS UNIT #100 on the update kit sideincludes an audio frame to be played back at 1 minute and 40 seconds.The white bold arrow in the drawing shows the playback time of eachACCESS UNIT. The playback time is different from one ACCESS UNIT toanother because since the playback time of each ACCESS UNIT is based onthe GOP. Each of the ACCESS UNITs in an update kit has a playback timethat is the same as the corresponding ACCESS UNIT recorded on theBD-ROM.

Because of an arrangement wherein the AV stream in the update kitincludes ACCESS UNITS which are equal in number to the ACCESS UNITS inthe AV stream recorded on the BD-ROM, and wherein the ACCESS UNITs inthe AV stream in the update kit includes audio frames having the equaltime length to the audio frames included in the ACCESS UNITs recorded onthe BD-ROM, the ACCESS UNITs in the AV stream recorded on the BD-ROM arein one-to-one correspondence with the ACCESS UNITs in the AV stream inthe update kit. Thus, the description of the AV stream in the update kitis completed. The following describes the stream management informationin the update kit.

The stream management information in the update kit (UXX. CLPI) isrelated to AV streams with only audio and is supplied by the WWW server500 along with the AV stream with only audio. FIG. 15 shows streammanagement information in an update kit. This stream managementinformation also has a TMAP, like the one shown in FIG. 8, in which thedata size and the starting time of each ACCESS UNIT are described. Sincea TMAP that is similar to the one for the AV stream recorded on theBD-ROM exists, the AV stream in the update kit can be cued in ACCESSUNITS. The stream management information is different from differentfrom the stream management information in FIG. 8 in that, since no videostream is multiplexed, (i) the video attribute is set as “no video” and(ii) “Offset” is added to the audio attribute. The following explains“Offset” added to the audio attribute, with reference to FIG. 16. FIG.16 shows in comparison packets that constitute an ACCESS UNIT on aBD-ROM and packets that constitute an ACCESS UNIT in an update kit. Inthe drawing, “V” denotes a video packet, and “A” denotes an audiopacket. A time stamp is given to each of these packets. The time stampis time information for informing the playback apparatus of theprocessing timing, i.e. when processing should be performed. A timestamp with the value “702” is given to an audio packet positioned firstin an ACCESS UNIT in the AV stream released on a BD-ROM. Time stampswith larger values such as “703”, “704”, “705”, “706” and so on aregiven to the audio packets that follow this audio packet. On the otherhand, a time stamp with the value “150” is given to an audio packetpositioned first in an ACCESS UNIT in an AV stream in the update kit.Time stamps with values such as “151”, “152”, “153”, “154”, “155” and soon are given to the audio packets that follow this audio packet, so thatthe more later the audio packet is positioned, the larger the value ofthe time stamp is.

There are differences between the time stamps because of the differencebetween the master clocks at the times of encoding, The master clocksare clock signals which are referred to at the time of encoding in orderto give a time stamp. Because of this reference to each master clock,the plurality of audio packets in an AV stream have time stamps thathave serial values attached. However, when an AV stream in the updatekit and an AV stream recorded on the SD-ROM are compared, the masterclocks to be referred to as the time stamps are given are differentbetween the former case and the latter case. Thus, the values of thetime stamps given to the respective audio packets are naturallydifferent between those cases. Since the time stamps on the audiopackets included in the respective ACCESS UNITs are largely different,it is not possible to switch between the audios in those two AV streams,as the way they are. Accordingly, the differences between the timestamps are described in “Offset” in the stream management information.

Because the offsets are described in the stream management information,even if the master clock to be referred to is different, it is possibleto play back, in synchronization, the audio packets in the AV streamrecorded on the BD-ROM with the audio packets in the AV stream in theupdate kit. Thus, the description of the stream management informationin the update kit is completed. The following describes the PLinformation in the update kit (UYY. PL).

The PL information in the update kit (UYY. PL) is to be used in place ofthe PL information on the BD-ROM. The PL information in the update kitis different from the PL information recorded on the BD-ROM in that thePlayLists in the PL information are defined by arranging a bundle ofplayback sections in accordance with the order in which they are playedback. “A bundle of playback sections” means playback sections that aredefined on a plurality of AV streams and are to be played back insynchronization with one another. FIG. 17 shows the internal structureof PL information (UYY.PL). Each piece of CELL information in FIG. 17 isconstituted with “Clip Entry” indicating the AV stream on the BD-ROM,“Audio Table”, “Subtitle Table” and “Number” indicating the number ofClip Entries.

“Clip Entry” includes “AVStream Name”, “In point information”, and “outpoint information” of the CELL information on the BD-ROM. They are thesame as the “Cell Entries” of the CELL information shown in FIG. 9. TheAudio Table is made up of a plurality of Audio Entries (Audio Entries#1-#n). Each of the Audio Entries defines (i) which stream is an audiostream that can be played back in the CELL, (ii) to which AV stream, theaudio stream belongs, and (iii) from where to where in the stream formsa playback section, using the file name of the AV stream (AVStreamName), the identifier of the audio stream (Audio Stream ID), theinformation indicating the starting point of the playback section in theAV stream (In point information), the information indicating the endingpoint of the playback section in the AV stream (Out point information),and the offset (Offset).

For example, the AV stream #1 is recorded on the BD-ROM, and the AVstream #2 is downloaded by the playback apparatus as an update kit andstored in the local HD 12. As additional information, it is assumed thatthe AV stream #1 includes moving pictures (video) and English audio,whereas the AV stream #2 includes Japanese audio, which is a secondlanguage. The Japanese audio is stored in an AV stream being differentfrom the one in which the video is stored, so that it is possible todistribute the Japanese audio in an update kit. In such a case, it isarranged so that Clip Entry #1 in the Cell defines the playback sectionon the AV stream #1, and Audio Entry #1 describes the AV Stream Name andthe Audio Stream ID for the AV stream that is for the Japanese audio. Bydistributing the piece of PL information that includes CELL informationdescribed as above along with AV stream #2 from the WWW server 500 andcombining the PlayLists recorded on the BD-ROM, it is possible to enableusers to view a movie production in a version with the Japanese audio.

FIG. 18 shows an indirect reference with UTT.PL, describing in the samemanner as FIG. 10. In the drawing, the PL information in the update kithas Clip Entry and Audio Entry. The arrows rf1, rf2, and rf3 in thedrawing indicate the specifications of playback sections with ClipEntries. The arrows pf1, pf2, and pf3 in the drawing indicate thespecifications of playback sections with Audio Entries. In other words,each of pieces of CELL information constituting the PL information inFIG. 16 specifies two playback sections in the two AV streams. Becauseone piece of CELL information specifies two playback sections, the PLinformation is able to define a playback path that is made up of abundle of playback sections that area playback section on the BD-OM anda playback section in the HD. Thus, the description of the update kitstored in the local HD 12 is completed.

The letter “U” is used in the file names of AV streams, the streammanagement information, and the PL information in an update kit, namely“UXX.M2TS”, “UXX.CLPI”, “UYY.PL”, merely for convenience sake and forthe purpose of distinguishing the AV streams, the stream managementinformation, and the PL information in the update kit from those on theBD-ROM. In actuality, AV streams, the stream management information, andthe PL information in an update kit have the file names that are thesame as the ones on the BD-ROM. The data on the update kit and the dataon the BD-ROM are brought into correspondence with each other with theuse of the file names, To bring an AV stream recorded on the BD-ROM (anoptical disc) and an AV stream in an HD (a secondary recording medium)into correspondence means (i) to bring them into correspondence with theuse of PL information included in the update kit and (ii) to bring theminto correspondence with the use of sameness between the file names ofthe files included in an update kit and the file names of the filesrecorded on the optical disc.

The following describes the demultiplexing process performed by thedemultiplexer 14 in a case where an AV stream in an update kit is read.The demultiplexing process performed by the demultiplexer 14 is to takePES packets, which are the payloads, out of TS packets constituting anAV stream that has been read from an HD, to then take the main-bodydata, which is the payload, out of the PES packets, and to output themain-body data to the audio decoder 6, according to the time stampattached to each TS packet. The demultiplexing processing is performedby the demultiplexer 14 with reference to a time stamp, such as PCR(Program Clock Reference) or ATS (Arrival Time Stamp), that is attachedto each TS packet and the offsets included in the stream managementinformation. When a clock inside the playback apparatus reaches the timeobtained by adding an offset to the time indicated by a time stamp on aTS packet, the demultiplexer 14 demultiplexes the TS packet, asdescribed above. The time obtained by adding the offset to the timeindicated by the time stamp is the same as the time obtained by addingthe values of the times stamps on the TS packets read from BD-ROM.Accordingly, as a result of the processing performed by thedemultiplexer 14 described above, the demultiplexing of the TS packetsread from the BD-ROM are in synchronization with the demultiplexing ofthe TS packets read from the HD.

The following describes the synchronization processing performed by theaudio decoder 6 in the case where the audio stream in the update kit isread from the local HD 12. When decoding audio frames read from aBD-ROM, the audio decoder 6 refers to PTSs (Presentation Time Stamps)attached to PES packets. That is to say, when the clock inside theplayback apparatus reaches the time indicated by a PTS on a PES packet,the audio decoder 6 decodes the audio frames. On the other hand, whendecoding audio frames read from the HD, the audio decoder 6 refers toPTSs (Presentation Time Stamps) attached to PES packets and the offsetsin the stream management information. That is to say, when the clockinside the playback apparatus reaches the time obtained by adding anoffset to the PTS attached to a PES packet, the audio decoder 6 decodesthe audio frames. The time obtained by adding an offset to the timeindicated by a PTS is substantially the same as the time indicated by aPTS attached to the video packet read from the BD-ROM. Accordingly, as aresult of the processing performed by the audio decoder 6 describedabove, the playback outputs for the video frames read from the BD-ROMare in synchronization with the playback outputs for the audio framesread from the HD. The synchronization between the audio and the image ismaintained due to the processing performed by the demultiplexer 14 andthe audio decoder 6 described above.

The data is read from the BD-ROM and from the HD in units of ACCESSUNITs; however, the data is supplied from the demultiplexer 3 and fromthe demultiplexer 14 to the audio decoder 6, with no regard to ACCESSUNITS. The reason is because the demultiplexing processing performed bythe demultiplexer 3 and the demultiplexer 14 is to convert an ACCESSUNIT which is a TS packet sequence into a PES packet sequence and toconvert them into audio frames and video frames: therefore, the data issupplied to the audio decoder 6 in units of frames that are included ineach PES packet or each TS packet. Since PES packets and TS packets arethe units of processing, when a part of an audio frame is included in aPES packet, the included part is outputted to the audio decoder 6. Whena plurality of audio frames are included in a PES packet, the pluralityof audio frames are supplied to the audio decoder 6. The audio decoder 6first stores those supplied audio frames or part of an audio frame intoa built-in memory within the audio decoder 6 and then processes them.There would be a problem with the case where an audio frame is dividedinto portions and stored into a plurality of ACCESS UNITS. The followingdiscussion is based on an assumption that the first half of an audioframe is stored in a TS packet sequence constituting an ACCESS UNIT andthe second half of the audio frame is stored In a TS packet sequenceconstituting the following ACCESS UNIT.

It is not rare that one audio frame is divided into portions and storedinto a plurality of access UNITs. During the demultiplexing process ontoAV streams, this could happen on a regular basis. The reason for this isthat since the data size of a payload of a PES packet is a non-integermultiple of the data size of an audio frame, there is always some partof audio frame that cannot fit into one TS packet or one PES packet.

The following discusses the case where an audio switching processing isperformed due to an update of SPRM(1), after the PES packet in which thefirst half of the audio frame is stored is demultiplexed and outputtedto the audio decoder 6, but before the PES packet in which the secondhalf of the audio frame is stored is demultiplexed. In such a case, tothe audio decoder 6, after the first half of the audio frame issupplied, another audio frame from another audio stream is to besupplied. Although the audio decoder 6 has obtained the first half, theaudio decoder 6 is not able to obtain the second half; therefore, theaudio decoder 6 is not able to properly perform the decoding, and thereis a possibility that the user experiences an unpleasant noise such as“thunk”. In order to prevent this from occurring, it is necessary toemploy a mute processing on the playback output from the audio decoder 6for a short period of time after the audio is switched. As a result ofthis mute processing, although there will be a little “no-sound” periodimmediately after the audio is switched, it becomes possible to freelyswitch audio, for example, from the audio on the BD-ROM to the audio onHD, or from the audio on the MD to the audio on the BD-ROM.

At last, the following describes more in detail the control procedureperformed by the control unit 16 of the present embodiment.

When a BD-ROM is mounted to the playback apparatus 200, the control unit16 reads a volume label from the BD-ROM and specifies a directory thatmatches the read volume label among a plurality of directories in thelocal HD 12. The processing after that is performed on a basis that thefiles in the specified directory represent an update kit. The processingis realized by having a computer execute the processing procedure shownin the flow chart in FIG. 19.

The flow chart forms a loop processing in which the processing fromSteps S2 through S16 is repeated for each of the CELLS belonging to thePL #x. Now, the CELL being the processing target will be referred to as“CELL #y” which is a CELL at a y'th position in a PL. To be specific,the PL information #x is read into the memory (Step S1). The first CELLof the PL information #x is set as the CELL #y, and the last CELL of thePL information #x is set as the CELL #z (Step 52). Subsequently, theACCESS UNITS belonging to the CELL #y is read from the SD-ROM and fromthe local HD 12 in parallel, and the video decoder 4 and the audiodecoder 6 are instructed to decode the ACCESS UNITs (Step S3 to StepS12). When all the ACCESS UNITs in the CELL have been decoded (Step S11:YES), it is judged whether the CELL #y has reached the CELL #z (StepS15), and the next CELL is set as CELL #y (Step S16).

Among Steps from S3 to S16, Steps S4 through S12 represent a loopprocessing for reading each of the ACCESS UNITS belonging to the CELL #yfrom the ED-ROM and from the local HD 12. In this loop processing, theACCESS UNIT to be a reading target will be referred to as “ACCESS UNIT#U” which is an ACCESS UNIT at a u'th position in an AV stream. In StepS3, prior to the loop processing in Steps S4 through S12, the ACCESSUNITs that are in the AV streams on the BD-ROM and in the RD and eachinclude the In point video frame of the CELL #y are set as the ACCESSUNITs #u.

The loop processing in Steps S4 through S12 is to repeat the processingas follows: to read the ACCESS UNITS #u from the BD-ROM and from the EDinto the BD buffer 2 and into the ED buffer 13, respectively (Step S4),and to input the video frames constituting each ACCESS UNIT #u to thedecoder (Step S5), and after Steps S6 and S7, to input the audio framesconstituting each ACCESS UNIT #u to the decoder (Step S8 through StepS1).

The reading of an ACCESS UNIT from the BD-ROM and the reading of anACCESS UNIT from the HD do not have to be performed at the same time.The reading from one of them may be earlier or later than the readingfrom the other. The reason for this is that (i) since the ACCESS UNITsread from the BD-ROM and from the HD are once stored in the BD buffer 2and the HD buffer 13 so that the speed is adjusted, and (ii) thedemultiplexing processing performed by the demultiplexer 3 and thedemultiplexer 14, and the decoding processing performed by the videodecoder 4 and the audio decoder 6 are performed in synchronization.

When data is read from the BD-ROM to the BD buffer 2, the control unit16 monitors the amount of the data stored in the SD buffer 2 so thatwhen the amount of the data stored is insufficient, more ACCESS UNITsare read from the BD-ROM to the BD buffer 2 to avoid the insufficiency.Also for the HD, the reading is controlled in accordance with the amountof the data stored in the buffer.

The audio switching processing performed in Steps S0 through S10 is to,in accordance with the audio setting from the user, input, to the audiodecoder 6, the audio frames in the ACCESS UNIT having been read into theBD buffer 2 (Step S9), or to input the audio frames in the ACCESS UNIThaving been read into the HD buffer 13 (Step S10). The variable “Audio#v” in the drawing represents the audio set in SPRM (1) by the user.With regard to the variable “Audio #v”, in the case where the userperforms an operation for switching the audio (Step S7: YES), SPRM(1) isupdated (Step S13).

In the case where the variable “Audio #v” indicates an audio stream onthe BD-ROM side (Step S8: YES), among the audio frames in the ACCESSUNIT having been read into the SD buffer 2, the audio frame thatcorresponds to the variable “Audio #v” is inputted to the decoder (StepS9). In the case where the variable “Audio #v” indicates an audio streamon the local HD 12 side (Step SB: NO), the audio frames in the ACCESSUNIT in the HD buffer is inputted to the decoder (Step S10).

In Step S11, it is judged whether the condition for ending the loopprocessing is met. In the case where the ACCESS UNIT #u includes the Outpoint video frame of the CELL (Step S11: YES), the loop processing willbe repeated. When the requirement in this step is not met, the nextACCESS UNIT in the AV stream is set as the ACCESS UNIT #u (Step S12),and the procedure returns to Step S4. Step S15 is a judgment step whichis to be executed in a case where the processing in Steps S3 through S12is repeated for ACCESS UNITs belonging to one piece of CELL information.In Step S15, it is judged whether or not the CELL information #y beingthe current processing target is the last CELL information #z. In thecase where the CELL information #y being the current processing targetis not CELL #z, the next CELL is set as the CELL #y (Step S16). Then,the procedure advances to step s3 so that the processing in Steps S3through S15 is performed on the ACCESS UNITs belonging to the CELL #y.

FIG. 20 shows the reading process in Steps S4 through S11. In thedrawing, the ACCESS UNITs #100 are read from the BD-ROM and from thelocal HD 12 into the BD buffer 2 and into the HD buffer 13 in Step S4.The switch 15 outputs the ACCESS UNIT #100 from the BD buffer 2 to theaudio decoder 6 according to the judgment in Step S8. The switch 15switches between (a) outputting the audio frames in the ACCESS UNIT #100from the BD buffer 2 to the audio decoder 6 and (b) outputting the audioframes in the ACCESS UNIT #100 from the HD buffer 13 to the audiodecoder 6, according to the SPRM (1).

FIG. 21 shows what kind of audio playback is achieved as a result of theoutput switching shown in FIG. 20. In the case where the switch 15outputs the ACCESS UNIT from the BD-ROM to the audio decoder 6, playbackis achieved as shown on the left side of FIG. 21, i.e. the playback isaccompanied by an English line “He had a person at one's nod”. On theother hand, in the case where the switch 15 outputs the ACCESS UNIT fromthe HD to the audio decoder 6, playback is achieved as shown on theright side of FIG. 21, i.e. the playback is accompanied by a Japanesedubbed audio “Kare wa hito o ago de tsukatte iru”.

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, ACCESS UNITsthat are in one-to-one correspondence with each other are read inparallel from the BD-ROM and from the local HD 12, and the decoder isinstructed to selectively play back one of these ACCESS UNITs,therefore, switching of the audio is realized. Creators of a movieproduction are able to, even after the movie production is distributedon a BD-ROM, supply additional audio to users by distributing it via theWWW server 500.

Further, since the update kit includes only additional audio, even if apublic circuit exists between the playback apparatus 200 and the WWWserver 500, the time required for downloading the update kit is short.

It should be noted that, in the first embodiment, a built-in HD insidethe playback apparatus is used for storing the update kit; however, itis acceptable that the update kit is stored in a portable recordingmedium.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment is related to an improvement for the case where asub-image stream is added to an AV stream recorded on a BD-ROM. Thefollowing describes a sub-image stream recorded on a BD-ROM and anupdate kit for realizing addition of a sub-image stream. On a BD-ROM, asub-image stream is multiplexed with a video stream and an audio streamso as to constitute an AV stream, as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 22 shows howan ACCESS UNIT is structured in an AV stream according to the secondembodiment. The ACCESS UNITs according to the second embodiment eachinclude a GOP and a sub-image unit. The leaders with broken lines th1highlight the internal structure of a sub-image unit in each ACCESSUNIT. A sub-image unit is made up of a header and run length image data.IN the drawing the leaders th2 highlight the internal structure of theheader, The header includes “the display starting time/the displayending time”, of the run length image data on a PL playback temporalaxis and “the display coordinates” on the display screen.

The sub-image stream in an update kit is supplied to the playbackapparatus as being stored in an AV stream. To be more specific, an AVstream in the update kit according to the present embodiment is for thepurpose of adding a sub-image to the AV-stream recorded on the BD-ROM.Like the first embodiment, the AV stream in the update kit is made up ofACCESS UNITs that are equal in number to the ACCESS UNITs in an AVstream in a BD-ROM package. Each ACCESS UNIT includes a sub-image unitbut does not include a GOP.

FIG. 23 shows in comparison the substances of an ACCESS UNIT in a BD-ROMpackage (XXX. M2TS) and the substance of an ACCESS UNIT in an update kit(UXX. TS), describing in the same manner as FIG. 14. The upper level ofFIG. 23 is an ACCESS UNIT on the BD-ROM side. The lower level is anACCESS UNIT on the update kit side. In the drawing, the ACCESS UNITs#60, #100, and #120 are to be played back 1 minute, 1 minute and 40seconds, and 2 minutes after the start of the playback of the AV stream,respectively. (In this example, the playback time of one ACCESS UNIT isapproximated to one second).

As we focus on the ACCESS UNITs, the ACCESS UNIT #100 on the BD-ROM sideincludes a GOP to be played back at 1 minute and 40 seconds and asub-image unit to be read at that time. On the other hand, the ACCESSUNIT #100 on the update kit side includes a sub-image unit to be playedback at 1 minute and 40 seconds.

Because of an arrangement wherein the AV stream in the update kitincludes ACCESS UNITs which are equal in number to the ACCESS UNITS inthe AV stream recorded on the BD-ROM, and wherein the ACCESS UNITs inthe AV stream in the update kit includes a sub-image unit having theequal time length to the sub-image unit recorded on the BD-ROM, theACCESS UNITs in the AV stream recorded on the BD-ROM are in one-to-onecorrespondence with the ACCESS UNITs in the AV stream in the update kit.Due to this one-to-one correspondence, it is possible to achieve theswitching of the subtitles with time accuracy of approximately 1.0second. Thus, the description of the AV stream in the update kit iscompleted. The following describes the PL information in the update kit.

The PL information is supplied from a Website along with an AV streamhaving only sub-image and the stream management information for this AVstream. FIG. 24 shows the internal structure of PL information includedin the update kit according to the second embodiment. The improvementpeculiar to the present embodiment lies in a Subtitle Table within eachpiece of CELL information in the PL information. A Subtitle Table ismade up of a plurality of Subtitle Entries (Subtitle Entries #1 to #n)and the number of the Subtitle Entries (Number).

The “Subtitle Table” is management information for a subtitle to beplayed back in synchronization with the playlist and is made up of aplurality of pieces of language information (Languages #1 to #k) and thenumber of the languages (Number). In the case where the playlistcorresponds to the English-language area, the Japanese-language area,and the Chinese-language area, pieces of language information for thethree languages are described in the “Subtitle Table”.

Each piece of language information is made up of (i) information aboutto what language the piece of language information corresponds (Lang.),(ii) the position of the AV stream that corresponds to the sub-image(Storage Name), (iii) a plurality of pieces of speech informationwritten in the language (Speeches #1 to #j) and (iv) the number of thepieces of speech information (Number). The pieces of speech information(Speeches #1 to #J) are information related to speeches that appearduring the playback of the playlist. In the case where there are fivespeeches during a playback of a CELL, a piece of speech information iswritten for each of the five speeches. FIG. 25 shows the speechinformation. As shown in the drawing, each piece of speech information(Speeches #1 to #j) includes the name of the AV stream, “AVStream Name”to which a sub-image unit in which the line in the speech is writtenbelongs, “Stream ID” indicating a sub-image stream to which thesub-image unit belongs in the AV stream, “In point information”indicating a playback starting time of the sub-image unit, “Out pointinformation” indicating a playback ending time of the sub-image unit,and “Position information” indicating the display coordinates of thesub-image unit.

Above is the description of the update kit written into the local HD 12.FIG. 26 shows the internal structure of the playback apparatus of thesecond embodiment. The following describes the constituent elements thatare related to the improvement portions of the playback apparatusaccording to the present embodiment, namely the download unit 11, the HDbuffer 13, the switch 17, the image decoder 7, and the control unit 16.

The download unit 11 according to the second embodiment downloads anupdate kit for upgrading the sub-image from the WWW server 500 andwrites the update kit into the local HD 12.

Into the HD buffer 13 according to the second embodiment, one of theACCESS UNITs constituting the AV stream recorded on the HD is read,every time one of the ACCESS UNITS constituting the AV stream recordedon a BD-ROM is read into the SD buffer 2.

The demultiplexer 14 demultiplexes the ACCESS UNIT that is in an MPEG-TSformat and has been read into the ED buffer 13 so as to obtain thesub-image before being multiplexed.

The switch 17 outputs, to the image decoder 7, one of the sub-image unitobtained through the demultiplexing process performed by thedemultiplexer 3 and the sub-image unit obtained through thedemultiplexing process performed by the demultiplexer 14. Thus, theexplanation on the improvement of the playback apparatus according tothe present embodiment is completed. The output switching performed bythe switch 17 is based on SPRM (2), which represents the sub-imagestream number.

When decoding the sub-image unit read from the BD-ROM, the image decoder7 refers to the display starting time attached to the header of thesub-image unit. That is to say, when the clock inside the playbackapparatus reaches the time indicated by the display starting time in theheader, the image decoder 7 decodes the sub-image unit. On the otherhand, when decoding the sub-image unit read from the HD, the imagedecoder 7 refers to the display starting time attached to the header ofthe sub-image unit and an offset in the stream management information.That is to say, when the clock inside the playback apparatus reaches thetime obtained by adding the offset to the display starting time attachedto the header of the sub-image unit, the image decoder 7 decodes thesub-image unit. The time obtained by adding an offset to the timeindicated by the display starting time is substantially the same as thetime indicated by the display starting time of the video packet readfrom the BD-ROM. Accordingly, as a result of the processing performed bythe image decoder 9 described above, the playback output for the videoframes read from the BD-ROM is in synchronization with the playbackoutput for the sub-image units read from the HD. Further, when the clockinside the playback apparatus reaches a time obtained by adding anoffset to the display ending time in the header, the image decoder 9makes the subtitle disappear. As a result of the processing describedhere, the subtitles are displayed and made disappear in synchronizationwith the playback of the video.

The data is read from the BD-ROM and from the HD in units of ACCESSUNITs; however, the data is supplied from the demultiplexer 3 and fromthe demultiplexer 14 to the image decoder 9, with no regard to ACCESSUNITS. The reason is because the demultiplexing processing performed bythe demultiplexer 3 and the demultiplexer 14 is to convert an ACCESSUNIT which is a TS packet sequence into a PES packet sequence and toconvert them into sub-image units and video frames; therefore, the datais supplied to the image decoder 9 in units that are included in PESpackets or TS packets. Since the PES packets and the TS packets are theunits of processing, when a part of a sub-image unit is included in aPES packet, the included part is outputted to the image decoder 9. Thereason for this is because a sub-image unit is a piece of run lengthimage data, and the size of a sub-image unit is considerably larger thanthat of a PES packet, a sub-image unit is divided into portions andstored into a plurality of PES packets.

The image decoder 9 sequentially stores each of those supplied parts ofthe sub-image unit into a built-in memory within the image decoder 9 andputs the sub-image unit together before decoding it. There would be aproblem with the case where a sub-image unit is divided into portionsand stored into a plurality of ACCESS UNITS. The following discussion isbased on an assumption that the first half of a sub-image unit is storedin a TS packet sequence constituting an ACCESS UNIT and the second halfof the sub-image unit is stored in a TS packet sequence constituting thefollowing ACCESS UNIT.

The following discusses the case where a subtitle switching processingis performed due to an update of SPRM(2), after the PES packet in whichthe first half of the sub-image unit is stored is demultiplexed andoutputted to the image decoder 9, but before the PES packet in which thesecond half of the sub-image unit is stored is demultiplexed. In such acase, to the image decoder 9, after the first half of the sub-image unitis supplied, another sub-image unit belonging to another sub imagestream is to be supplied. Although the image decoder 9 has obtained thefirst half, the image decoder 9 is not able to obtain the second half;therefore, the image decoder 9 is not able to properly perform thedecoding, and there is a possibility that image decoder 9 displaysnon-sense data. In order to prevent this from occurring, it is necessaryto employ an erase processing on the playback output from the imagedecoder 9 for a short period of time after the subtitle is switched. Asa result of this erase processing, although there will be a little“no-subtitle” period immediately after a switch to an upgraded version,as soon as the following sub-image unit is stored in the memory withinthe image decoder 9, the subtitle display is resumed. Accordingly, itbecomes possible to freely switch subtitles, for example, from thesubtitle on the BD-ROM to the subtitle on HD, or from the subtitle onthe HD to the subtitle on the BD-ROM.

The control unit 16 in the present embodiment performs the playbackprocessing of ACCESS UNITs according to the flow chart in FIG. 27. Theflow chart forms a loop processing in which the processing from stepsS22 through S36 is repeated for each of the CELLS belonging to the PL#x. Now, the CELL being the processing target will be referred to as“CELL #y” which is a CELL at a y'th position in a PL. To be specific,the PL information #x is read into the memory (Step S21). The first CELLof the PL information #x is set as the CELL #y, and the last CELL of thePL information #x is set as the CELL #z (Step S22). Subsequently, theACCESS UNITS belonging to these CELLS are read from the BD-ROM and fromthe local HD12 in parallel, and the image decoder 7 is instructed todecode the ACCESS UNITS (Step S23 to Step S36).

Among Steps from S23 to S36, Steps S24 through S32 represent a loopprocessing for reading each of the ACCESS UNITs belonging to the CELL #yfrom the BD-ROM and from the local HD 12. In this loop processing, theACCESS UNIT to be a reading target will be referred to as “ACCESS UNIT#u” which is an ACCESS UNIT at a u'th position in an AV stream. In StepS23, prior to the loop processing in Steps-S24 through S32, the ACCESSUNITs that are in the AV streams on the BD-ROM and in the HD and eachinclude the In point video frame of the CELL #y is set as the ACCESSUNITs #u.

The loop processing in Steps S24 through S32 is to repeat the processingas follows: to read the ACCESS UNITs #u from the BD-ROM and from THE EDinto the BD buffer 2 and into the HD buffer 13, respectively (Step S24),and after Step S27 and Step S37, to input the sub-image unitsconstituting the ACCESS UNIT #u to the decoder (Steps S28 through S30).

The subtitle switching process performed in Steps S28 through S30 is toinput, to the image decoder 7, the sub-image units in the ACCESS UNIThaving been read into the buffer, in accordance with SPRM (2). The“subtitle #v” in the drawing represents the subtitle language set inSPRM (2) by the user. In the case where the user performs an operationfor switching the subtitles (Step S27: YES), SPRM(2) is updated (StepS33).

In the case where the subtitle #v indicates a sub-image stream on theBD-ROM side (Step S28: YES), among the sub-image units in the ACCESSUNIT having been read into the BD buffer 2, the sub-image units thatcorresponds to the subtitle #v is inputted to the image decoder 7(StepS29). In the case where the subtitle #v indicates a sub-image stream onthe local ED 12 side (Step S28: NO), the sub-image units in the ACCESSUNIT on the HD buffer side is inputted to the image decoder 7 (stepS30).

In Step S31, it is judged whether the condition for ending the loopprocessing is met. In the case where the ACCESS UNIT #u includes the Outpoint video frame of the CELL (Step S31: YES), the loop processing willbe terminated. When the requirement in this step is not met, the nextACCESS UNIT in the AV stream is set as the ACCESS UNIT #u (Step S32),and the procedure returns to Step S24. Step S35 is a judgment step whichis to be executed in a case where the processing in Steps S23 throughS32 is repeated for ACCESS UNITs belonging to one piece of CELLinformation. In Step S35, it is judged whether or not the CELLinformation #y being the current processing target is the last CELLinformation #z. In the case where the CELL information #y being thecurrent processing target is not CELL #Z, the next CELL is set as theCELL #y (Step S36). Then, the procedure advances to Step s23 so that theprocessing in Steps S23 through S35 is performed on the ACCESS UNIT #ubelonging to the CELL #y.

FIG. 28 shows the process of parallel reading performed by the controlunit 16 to read from the BD-ROM and from the HD. In the drawing, theACCESS UNIT #100 is read from the BD-ROM and from the local RD 12 intothe BD buffer 2 and into the HD buffer 13, respectively, in Step S4. Theswitch 17 switches between (a) outputting the sub-image unit in theACCESS UNIT #100 from the BD buffer 2 to the decoder and (b) outputtingthe sub-image unit in the ACCESS UNIT #100 from the HD buffer 13 to thedecoder, according to the SPRM (2).

FIG. 29 shows what kind of subtitle display is achieved as a result ofthe output switching shown in FIG. 28. In the case where the switch 17outputs the ACCESS UNIT #100 from the BD-ROM side to the audio decoder6, playback is achieved as shown on the left side of FIG. 29, i.e. theplayback is performed so that an English subtitle “Run after you” iscombined with the moving pictures. On the other hand, in the case wherethe switch 17 outputs the ACCESS UNIT #100 from the HD side to the audiodecoder 6, playback is achieved as shown on the right side of FIG. 29,i.e. the playback is performed so that the Japanese subtitle is combinedwith the moving pictures.

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, ACCESS UNITsthat are in one-to-one correspondence with each other are read inparallel from the BD-ROM and from the local HD 12, and the decoder isinstructed to selectively play back one of these ACCESS UNITS,therefore, switching of the subtitles is realized. Creators of a movieproduction are able to, even after the movie production is distributedon a BD-ROM, supply additional subtitles to users by distributing themvia the WWW server 500.

It is necessary to read ACCESS UNITS from the BD-ROM and from the HD inparallel, in the case where the size of the sub-image stream in theupdate kit is large. Such parallel reading is not necessary in the casewhere the size of the sub-image stream in the update kit is small. Forexample, when the subtitle is text data and the size of the subtitle isas small as some kilobytes, it is acceptable to read the text data fromthe HD, before data is read from the BD-ROM, so that the subtitle isstored in the memory within the playback apparatus, and then thesubtitle image is rendered.

Third Embodiment

The third embodiment relates to an improvement for the case where aftera piece of video data having multi angle sections is distributed asbeing recorded on a BD-ROM, another piece of video data for views froman other angle is distributed. First of all, the following describes indetail the BD-ROM and an update kit according to the present embodiment.

First of all, the following describes the SD-ROM according to thepresent embodiment. FIG. 30A shows the internal structure of the BD-ROMaccording to the third embodiment. In the drawing, the AV stream #1, themulti angle section, the AV stream #4, the stream management information#1 #2, #3, #4, and the PL information #1, #2, #3, are recorded on theBD-ROM.

To explain more specifically, the AV stream #1 and the AV stream #4 arethe same as the AV stream described in the first embodiment. The multiangle section between the AV stream #1 and the AV stream #4 is made upof two AV streams such as the AV stream #2 and the AV stream #3.

The AV stream #2 and the AV stream #3 are pieces of video data that havebeen taken from two different angles. In such a case, the AV stream #2and the AV stream #3 can be each divided into three ILVUs (InterLeaVeUnits), as follows: the AV Stream #2; ILVU (2-1), ILVU (2-2), and ILVU(2-3) the AV stream #3: ILVU (3-1), ILVU (3-2), and ILVU (3-3)

Here, in the expression “ILVU (XX-YY)”, “XX” denotes an AV stream towhich the ILVU belongs, and “YY” denotes the order in which the ILVU isplaced in the AV stream. These ILVUs are recorded on a disc with anumbering system as follows: ILVU (2-1), ILVU (3-1), ILVU (2-2), ILVU(3-2), ILVU (2-3), ILVU (3-3)

The ILVUs constituting the VOB #1 and the ILVUs constituting the VOB #2alternately appear, Accordingly, for example, when ILVU (2-1) and ILVU(3-1) are read together, the video decoder 4 is able to selectivelydecode one of ILVU (2-1) and ILVU (3-1). With this arrangement, it ispossible to realize switching of angles according to a user operation.

The following describes how the ILVUs described above are managed on theBD-ROM. FIG. 31 shows how the positions of the ILVUs constituting themulti angle section shown in FIG. 30 are managed. Each of the ILVUsconstituting an AV stream is managed, like the extents constituting afile, by describing the starting address and the length in the filemanagement information. The lower level of the drawing shows at whichaddress in the BD-ROM each ILVU is recorded. The ILVUs (3-1) and (3-2)which constitute the AV stream #3 are recorded at the addresses 64 and1280 and have ran lengths of 1024 and 880, respectively. These addressesand run lengths are written in the management information for the AVstream #3, which is indicated as kj 3. The ILVUs (2-1) (2-2) and (2-3)which constitute the AV stream #2 are recorded at the addresses, 10,1088, and 2160 and have the run length of 54, 92, and 200 respectively.These addresses and the run lengths are written in the managementinformation for the AV stream #2, which is indicated as kj2. Therecording addresses of ILVUs constituting AV streams are written intopieces of file management information, so that each piece of filemanagement information corresponds to a different one of the AV streams;therefore, even if the AV stream #2 and the AV stream #3 constitute amulti angle section on a BD-ROM, they are treated as different files.Thus, the description of the multi angle section on the BD-ROM iscompleted.

The following describes the stream management information. FIG. 32 showsthe structure of the stream management information according to thethird embodiment. The stream management information here is differentfrom the stream management information shown in FIG. 8 in that itincludes ILVUMAP in addition to the attribute and the TMAP. The ILVUMAPis made up of Entries #1 to #n related to each ILVU and the LT number(Number). In each ILVU Entry, the number of ACCESS UNITs belonging tothe ILVU is written. By using the ILVU Entries along with the TMAP andthe file management information, it is possible to easily cue ACCESSUNITs belonging to the ILVU.

Thus, the description of the BD-ROM according to the present embodimentis completed. The following describes the AV stream included in theupdate kit.

The AV stream included in the update kit according to the presentembodiment (the AV stream #5 in the drawing) is for forming anadditional angle image. It is assumed that the BD-ROM according to thepresent embodiment is a video for views from a passenger train, and thatthe AV stream #2 is for a video image taken from the driver's seat, theAV stream #3 is for a video image taken from the windows provided on oneof the sides of a compartment. The situation is that the AV stream #2and the AV stream #3 are recorded on the BD-ROM, but, for some reasons,an arrangement is made so that the video image taken from the windowsprovided on the opposite side of the compartment is not recorded on theBD-ROM. In that situation, in order to distribute the video image takenfrom the opposite side to users, the update kit of the presentembodiment is generated.

As shown in FIG. 30B, the AV stream included in the update kit isrecorded in the local HD 12, as being divided into a plurality of ILVUs.The AV stream #5 in the local HD 12 is to be read in units of ILVUs.

The length of the playback time for the ILVUs (5-1) and (5-2), which areobtained by dividing UXX.M2TS, is equal to the length of the playbacktime of the ILVUs (1-1), (1-2), (2-1), and (2-2) which constituteXXX.M2TS.

The stream management information included in the update kit accordingto the present embodiment is management information for managing the AVstream in the HD, The internal structure is the same as the one shown inFIG. 32; therefore, the drawing thereof is omitted.

The PL information included in the update kit according to the presentembodiment is path information for treating the multi angle sectionrecorded on the BD-ROM and the AV stream in the HD as one PL. FIG. 33shows the internal structure of the PL information according to thethird embodiment. FIG. 33 is different from FIG. 17 in that, instead ofthe AV stream entries such as Stream ID, In, and Out, Angle Entries #1to #n are included in each piece of CELL information. An Angle Entry isfor defining a playback section in each of the AV streams thatcorrespond to different angles. The arrow with a broken line ay1highlights the internal structure of an Angle Entry. As observed fromthis, an Angle Entry is made up of “AVStream Name” of the AV stream forthe corresponding angle, “In point information” indicating the startingpoint of the playback section in the AV stream, and “Out pointinformation” indicating the ending point of the playback section in theAV stream.

In order to treat the multi angle section recorded on the BD-ROM and theAV stream in the HD as one PlayList, the Angle Entries in the PLinformation are set for the AV streams constituting the multi anglesection on the BD-ROM and for the AV stream in the HD. To be morespecific, the Angle Entry #1 is set for the AV stream #2 for the multiangle section on the BD-ROM; the Angle Entry #2 is set for the AV stream#3 for the multi angle section on the BD-ROM; and the Angle Entry #3 isset for the AV stream #5 for the update kit in the HD.

FIG. 34 schematically shows indirect reference with Angle Entriesincluded in the PL information.

The arrows gy1 and gy2 in the drawing indicate specification of playbacksections in the AV streams on the BD-ROM with the Angle Entries #1 and#2. On the other hand, the arrow gy3 indicates specification of aplayback section in the AV stream in the local HD 12 with the AngleEntry 43. The bundle of playback sections is specified in the PLinformation. Since one piece of PL information specifies the playbacksections in the multi angle section on the BD-ROM and the playbacksections in the local HD 12, when playback is performed, the playbackapparatus reads, in parallel, ILVUs constituting the multi angle sectionand the ILVUs constituting the AV stream on the BD-ROM.

Thus, the description of the update kit according to the presentembodiment is completed. The following describes the playback apparatusaccording to the present embodiment. FIG. 35 shows the internalstructure of the playback apparatus according to the third embodiment.The playback apparatus shown in this drawing is different in that it hasa switch 18 in addition.

The following describes the constituent elements that are related to theimproved portions of the playback apparatus of the present embodiment,namely, the download unit 11, the HD buffer 13, the demultiplexer 14,the switch 18, and the video decoder 4.

The download unit 11 of the third embodiment downloads an update kitfrom the WWW server 500 so as to write the downloaded update kit to thelocal HD 12, the update kit being for adding a new angle image to themulti angle section recorded on the BD-ROM.

Into the HD buffer 13 of the third embodiment, one of the ILVUsconstituting the AV stream recorded on the HD is read, every time one ofthe ILVUs constituting the AV stream recorded on the BD-ROM is read intothe BD buffer 2.

The demultiplexer 14 demultiplexes the ILVUs that are in an MPEG-TSformat and have been read into the HD buffer 13 so as to obtain the GOPbefore being multiplexed.

The switch 18 outputs, to the video decoder 4, one of the GOP obtainedthrough the demultiplexing process performed by the demultiplexer 3 andthe GOP obtained through the demultiplexing process performed by thedemultiplexer 14. The output switching performed by the switch 18 isbased on SPRM (3), which represents the angle number.

When decoding an ILVU read from the BD-ROM, the video decoder 4 refersto the PTS attached to the PES packet constituting the ILVU. That is tosay, when the clock inside the playback apparatus reaches the timeindicated by the PTS on the PES packet, the video decoder 4 decodes theILVU. On the other hand, when decoding an ILVU read from the HD, thevideo decoder 4 refers to a PTS attached to the PES packet and an offsetin the stream management information. That is to say, when the clockinside the playback apparatus reaches the time obtained by adding theoffset to the PTS attached to the PES packet, the video decoder 4decodes the ILVU. The time obtained by adding an offset to the timeindicated by a PTS is substantially the same as the time indicated by aPTS on the audio packet read from the BD-ROM. Accordingly, as a resultof the processing performed by the video decoder 4 above, the playbackoutputs for the audio frames read from the BD-ROM are in synchronizationwith the decoding of the ILVUs read from the HD.

Thus, the description of the improvement with the playback apparatusaccording to the present embodiment is completed. The control unit 16 ofthe present embodiment performs the playback processing according to theflow chart in FIG. 36 so as to control the playback apparatus in such amanner as described above.

The flow chart forms a loop processing in which the processing in StepsS42 through S56 is repeated for each of the CELLS belonging to the PL#x. Now, the piece of CELL information being the processing target willbe referred to as “CELL information #y” which is a piece of CELLinformation at a y'th position in a PL. To be specific, the PLinformation #x is read into the memory (Step S41). The first CELL of thePL information #x is set as the CELL #y, and the last piece of CELLinformation of the PL information #x is set as the CELL information #z(Step S42). Subsequently, the ILVUs belonging to the CELLs are read fromthe BD-ROM and from the local WD 12 in parallel, and the video decoder 4is instructed to decode the ILVUs (Steps S43 through S56).

Among Steps from S43 through S56, Steps S44 through S52 represent a loopprocessing for reading each of the ILVUs belonging to the CELLs #y fromthe BD-ROM and from the local HD 12. In this loop processing, the ILVUto be a reading target will be referred to as “ILVU #u” which is an ILVUat a u'th position in an AV stream. In Step S43, prior to the loopprocessing in Steps S44 through S52, the ILVUs that are in the AVstreams on the BD-ROM and in the HD and each include the In point videoframe of the CELL #y is set as the ILVUs #u.

The loop processing in Steps S44 through S52 is to repeat the processingas follows; to read the ILVUs #u from the BD-ROM and from the HD intothe BD buffer 2 and into the HD buffer 13 respectively, and to input theACCESS UNITs constituting the ILVU in the buffers to the decoder (StepsS44 through S52), and after all of the ACCESS UNITs have been inputted,the processing advances to the next ILVU (Step S54).

The ACCESS UNIT to be inputted to the video decoder 4 will be referredto as the ACCESS UNIT #k, which is an ACCESS UNIT at a k'th position inan ILVU. In the loop processing in Step S44 through S50, the firstACCESS UNIT in the ILVU in the buffer is set as the ACCESS UNIT #u (StepS45), and thereafter every time the loop processing is repeated once,the next ACCESS UNIT in the ILVU is set as the ACCESS UNIT #k (StepS52).

Among Steps S44 through 550, steps S48 through 550 represent theprocessing of inputting, to the decoder, ACCESS UNITs in the ILVU havingread into the buffer, in accordance with an angle setting by the user.The angle #v in the drawing represents the angle set in SPRM (3) by theuser. In the case where the user performs an operation for switching theangles (Step S47: YES), SPRM(3) is updated (Step S53).

In the case where the angle #v indicates an angle on the BD-ROM side(Step S48: YES), among the ACCESS UNITs in the ILVU having been readinto the BD buffer 2, the ACCESS UNIT that corresponds to the angle #vis inputted to the decoder as the ACCESS UNIT #k (Step S49). In the casewhere the angle #v indicates an angle on the local HD 12 side (Step S48:NO), the ACCESS UNIT #k in the ILVU in the HD buffer is inputted to thedecoder (Step S50).

In Step S51, it is judged whether the condition for ending the loopprocessing is met. In the case where the ACCESS UNIT Ok is not the lastACCESS UNIT in the ILVU #u (Step S51: NO), the next ACCESS UNIT in theAV steam is set as the ACCESS UNIT #k (Step S52), and the procedurereturns to Step S47. In the case where the ACCESS UNIT #k is the lastACCESS UNIT in the ILVU #u, it is judged whether or not the ILVU #uincludes the Out point video frame of the CELL (Step S53). If the ILVU#u does not include the Out point video frame of the CELL, the next ILVUin the CELL is set as the ILVU #u (Step S54), and the procedure advancesto Step S44. If the ILVU #u includes the Out point video frame of theCELL, Step S55 is executed. In Step S55, the CELL information #y beingthe current processing target is the last CELL information #z. In thecase where the CELL information #y being the current processing targetis not CELL #z, the next CELL is set as the CELL #y (Step S56). Then,the procedure advances to Step S43 so that the processing in Steps S43through S55 is performed on the ILVUs belonging to the CELL #y. In thecase where an operation for stopping the playback is performed, theprocessing in this flow chart is terminated (Step S53: YES).

FIG. 37 shows the process of parallel reading performed by the switch 18to read from the BD-RON and from the HD. The ILVUs (2-2) and (3-2) inthe drawing are read from the BD-ROM into the BD buffer 2 id Step S44.The ILVU (5-2) in the drawing is read from the HD into the HD buffer 13in Step S44. The switch 18 selectively outputs, to the video decoder 4,one of (a) the ILVUs (2-2) and (3-2) on the BD buffer 2 side and (b)ILVU (5-2) on the BD buffer 13 side.

FIG. 38 shows what kind of video display is achieved as a result of theoutput switching shown in FIG. 37. In the case where the switch 18outputs the ILVU (3-2) on the BD-ROM side to the video decoder 4,playback is achieved as shown on the left side of FIG. 28, i.e. theplayback is performed so that the video image taken from the driver'sseat of the train is shown. On the other hand, in the case where theswitch 17 outputs the ILVU (5-2) on the HD side to the video decoder 4,playback is achieved as shown on the right side of FIG. 38, i.e. theplayback is performed so that the video image taken from a side of thetrain with windows is shown.

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, in the casewhere the movie production recorded on a BD-ROM is a multi-angle typemovie production, it is possible to add new scenes and to further enrichthe content of the movie production.

Fourth Embodiment

In the first embodiment, reading of ACCESS UNITs from the BD-ROM isperformed in parallel with reading of ACCESS UNITs from the local HD 12.In the fourth embodiment, however, streaming playback is performed inparallel with reading of ACCESS UNITs from a BD-ROM. FIG. 39 shows ahome theater system according to the fourth embodiment.

The system shown in the drawing is different in that it has the homeserver 600. In the drawing, the playback apparatus 200 downloads onlythe stream management information and the PL information from within anupdate kit. The home server 600 downloads the AV streams from within theupdate kit. Here, the home server 600 is a device for writing a contentthat has been distributed or broadcasted into a built-in HD providedinside the home server 600. A distributed AV stream is downloaded by thehome server 600 and written into the built-in HD.

The playback apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receivesthe supply of the AV stream out of the update kit from the home server600. Thus, the general structure of the home theater system of thepresent embodiment is completed.

In order to obtain ACCESS UNITs from the outside of the playbackapparatus when a streaming playback is performed, the stream managementinformation and the PL information in the update kit are improved asshown in FIGS. 40 and 41. The improvement of the stream managementinformation lies in that an “URI” indicating the location from which theAV stream being the target of the streaming playback is to be obtainedis described in the Audio attribute information. That is to say, amonginformation included in the Audio attribute information, an “URI” of thelocation from which the AV stream is to be obtained is written, insteadof an “AVStream Name” and an “Audiostream ID”.

The improvement of the PL information lies in that the “URI” of thelocation from which the AV Stream being the target of the streamingplayback is to be obtained is written in an Audio Entry. That is to say,among information included in an Audio Entry within the PL information,the URI of the location from which the AV stream is to be obtained iswritten, instead of an “AVstream Name” and an “Audiostream ID”.

The playback apparatus 200 downloads the stream management informationand the PL information from within an update kit and writes the URI ofthe home server 600 into the stream management information and the PLinformation. Through this process, the preparation has been done fortaking out AV streams from the home server 600.

Thus, the description of the improvements of the update kit according tothe present embodiment is completed. The following describes theimprovement on the playback apparatus. FIG. 42 shows the internalstructure of the playback apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.The improvement on the playback apparatus mainly lies in that astreaming buffer 19 is added. The improvement on playback controlperformed by the control unit 16 is shown in the flow chart in FIG. 43.In this flow chart, the processing in Steps S100 through S102 has beennewly added.

In Step S100, reading of ACCESS UNITS from the WWW server 500 isperformed prior to the reading from the BD-ROM. The reason for this isbecause it is desirable to supply ACCESS UNITs to the streaming buffer19 prior to the reading from the BD-ROM, since it takes a long time toobtain ACCESS UNITs from the www server 500. The procedure waits until asufficient amount of ACCESS UNITS are stored in the streaming buffer 19(Step S101), and when a sufficient amount has been stored, reading ofthe ACCESS UNITs from the BD-ROM into the BD buffer 2 is started (StepS102).

As soon as a sufficient amount of ACCESS UNITs has been stored in the BDbuffer 2 and in the streaming buffer 19, the GOPs and the audio framesincluded in the ACCESS UNITS are inputted to the decoder. At this time,audio frames are selectively played back in accordance with the user'soperation indicated by SPRM (1) (Steps S5 through S17).

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, it is possibleto selectively play back either the audio stream downloaded into anotherdevice in a home network or the audio stream recorded on a BD-ROM;therefore, it is possible to more freely choose where the update kitshould be located.

It should be noted that it is acceptable to perform the streamingplayback with the supply of data from a distribution server, instead offrom a device owned by the user such as the home server 600. However,since distribution via the Internet is in general at a low speed, it isdesirable to read a sufficient amount of ACCESS UNITs into a stream fileprior to the reading from a BD-ROM.

Fifth Embodiment

The fifth embodiment is related to an improvement for having a playbackapparatus play back a new version of the movie production recorded on aBD-ROM with the use of a dynamic scenario being downloaded.

With regard to distribution of movie productions via optical discs,there are high demands from users that they wish to view world-widesuccessful movie productions at home as early as possible. Creators ofmovie productions assume the duties of creating movie productions withhard schedules. In recent years, the movie industries have a tendency ofenhancing the added value by recording commentaries by directors andactors and the images for “the making of”, the outtakes, and theunreleased scenes on the BD-ROMs besides the main bodies of the movieproductions themselves. To create the subtitles and the dubbed audio forthese additional features makes the hard schedules even harder.

In order to solve the problem, a dynamic scenario is downloaded in thepresent embodiment.

A dynamic scenario is a program that shows the playback controlprocedure for an AV stream with the use of PL information. A dynamicscenario is defined in the fourth layer in a layer model of the controlof a playback apparatus. FIG. 44 shows the fourth layer in the layermodel. In the drawing, one normal mode and two enhanced modes arewritten in the fourth layer. The one normal mode is a playback mode in aDVD-like playback environment and is referred to as a Movie mode. Thefirst one of the two enhanced modes is a playback mode mainly for a Javavirtual machine and is referred to as a Java mode. The second one of thetwo enhanced modes is a playback mode mainly for a browser and isreferred to as a Browser mode.

Since there are the three modes, i.e. the Movie mode, the Java mode, andthe Browser mode, in the fourth layer, it is enough if a dynamicscenario is written so that it can be executed in only one of the modes.When it is desired that the control procedure be written with commandsthat are similar to those for a DVD player, it would be good that theplayback control procedure in the Movie mode is written. This way, it ispossible to have a playback apparatus perform a playback control that issimilar to that of an existing DVD playback apparatus. When it isdesired that the control procedure be written in a page descriptionlanguage, it would be good that the playback control procedure in theBrowser mode is written, This way, it is possible to describe playbackprocedures for accessing a site in a network and for downloading a file.A dynamic scenario in the Java mode is ZZZ.CLASS, and a dynamic scenarioin the Browser mode is ZZZ.HTM, which are shown in FIG. 44. A dynamicscenario in the Movie mode is ZZZ. MOVIE. In the case where a movieproduction constituted with three PLs is recorded on a BD-ROM, anexample of how a dynamic scenario for this is described is shown in FIG.45A. The dynamic scenario in the drawing is in the Java mode and writtenin a Java language and is referred to as a Java object. Sincedescription can be made in the Java language, it is possible to writethe playback control procedure in the Java object using programming withthe use of IF sentences and the like. “Play PL (XX,YY)” in the drawingdenotes a function for playing back the PL specified by a first argumentXX, starting from the position indicated by a second argument. In anexample of writing a program shown in FIG. 45A, since there are threefunction calls such as PlayPL (PL #1, CELL #1), PlayPL (PL #2, CELL #1),and PlayPL (PL #3, CELL #1), the three PLs such as PL #1, PL #2, and PL#3 are sequentially played back so as to form the movie production. Itshould be noted that PL #1, PL #2, and PL #3 denote not just pieces ofPL information but the sets that are each made up of an AV stream,stream management information, and PL information.

Thus, the description of the BD-ROM according to the present embodimentis completed. The following describes an update kit according to thepresent embodiment.

An update kit according to the present embodiment includes a dynamicscenario. This dynamic scenario is used in place of the dynamic scenariorecorded on a BD-ROM. To be more specific, in the case where a newdynamic scenario exists in an update kit, this new dynamic scenario isused instead of the dynamic scenario recorded on the BD-ROM.

FIG. 45B shows a dynamic scenario to be used in place of the dynamicscenario shown in FIG. 45A. Such a dynamic scenario is written into a HDas being incorporated in an update kit. This update kit is for realizinga “language credit”, which is to switch playback scenes depending on thelanguage, and the update kit includes an additional PL, that is the PL#4, besides the dynamic scenario. This is a substitute image and is tobe played back alternatively in place of the PL #2.

The new dynamic scenario in the update kit realizes conditional playbackwhich is to playback the PL #4 (Link(PL #4, CELL #1, 0)), if thelanguage setting (SPRM (0)) on the playback apparatus is “Japanese”(if(SPRM(0)==Japanese)), and to play back the PL #2 (Link(PL #2, CELL#1, 0)) if the language setting on the playback apparatus is some otherlanguage (else).

FIG. 46A shows the playback procedure with the dynamic scenario recordedon the BD-ROM. FIG. 46B shows the playback procedure with the dynamicscenario included in the update kit. The arrows hb1 and hb2 in FIG. 46Bsymbolically shows conditional branching with the dynamic scenario inthe update kit.

As apparent from the drawings, the dynamic scenario recorded on theBD-ROM merely sequentially plays back the PLs 41, #2, and #3 recorded onthe BD-ROM. On the other hand, the dynamic scenario in the update kitswitches between playing back the PL for Japan (PL #4) and playing backthe PL for the U.S.A. (PL #2), depending on the value of SPRM (0).

Thus, the description of the update kit according to the presentembodiment is completed. The following describes the playback apparatusaccording to the present embodiment. FIG. 47 shows the internalstructure of the playback apparatus according to the present embodiment.The playback apparatus in the drawing is different in that it comprisesa dynamic scenario memory 20, a playback control engine 21, a DVD-likemodule 23, a Java module 24, a Browser module 25, and a module manager26.

The dynamic scenario memory 20 is a memory for storing a current dynamicscenario and for being used in the processing performed by the DVD-likemodule 23 to the Browser module 25. The current dynamic scenario is adynamic scenario being the current processing target. When no update kitis stored in the local HD 12, the dynamic scenario recorded on theBD-ROM serves as the current scenario. When an update kit is recorded inthe local ED 12, the dynamic scenario in the local HD 12 serves as thecurrent scenario.

The playback control engine 21 executes functions such as (i) an AVplayback function, (ii) a playlist playback function, and (iii) anobtaining/setting function of the status of the playback. The AVplayback function of the playback apparatus includes a group offunctions that are inherited from DVD players and CD players and are forperforming kinds of processing according to user operations, such asstarting a playback “Play”, stopping a playback “Stop”, pausing aplayback “Pause On”, releasing a pause “Pause Off”, releasing a Stillfunction “Still Off”, forwarding at a specified speed “Forward Play(speed)”, rewinding at a specified speed “Backward Play (speed)”,switching the audios “Audio Change”, switching the sub-images “SubtitleChange”, and switching the angles “Angle Change”. The PL playbackfunction is to interpret a piece of PL information and to start and stopplayback according to the piece of PL information. When executing the PLplayback function, the playback control engine 21 plays the role of thethird layer (playback control based on a static scenario) in the layermodel. The playback control engine 21 executes the AV playback functionaccording to the user operations. Also, the playback control engine 21executes the functions (ii) and (iii), in accordance with the functioncalls from the DVD-like module 23 to the Browser module 25. Morespecifically, the playback control engine 21 executes its functionsaccording to instructions in user operations and instructions from upperlayers in the layer model.

The DVD-like module 23 is a DVD virtual player that serves as theexecuting subject of the Movie mode. The DVD-like module 23 executes acurrent Movie object having been read into the dynamic scenario memory20.

The Java module 24 is a Java platform and is made up of a Java virtualmachine, a configuration, and a profile. The Java module 24 generates acurrent Java object from ZZZ. CLASS having been read into the dynamicscenario memory 20 and executes the generated Java object. The Javavirtual machine converts the Java object written in a Java language intonative codes for the CPU of the playback apparatus so that the CPUexecutes the native codes.

The Browser module 25 is a browser that serves as the executing subjectof the Browser mode. The Browser module 25 executes a current WebPageobject having been read into the dynamic scenario memory 20.

The module manager 26 performs mode management and branching control.The mode management performed by the module manager 26 is to assign oneof the modules among the DVD-like module 23 to the Browser module 25 tobe a module that executes the dynamic scenario. The principle used inthe assignment of modules is to have a dynamic scenario executed by theDVD-like module 23. This principle is kept even if an intra-modebranching (a branching within one mode) occurs. An exception is madewhen an inter-mode branching (a branching between modes) occurs. When abranching from a Movie object to a Java object/a WebPage object, theJava module 24 or the Browser module 25 executes the current object.

The branching control performed by the module manager 26 is to specify adynamic scenario being the branching destination, to read the dynamicscenario into the memory, and to have the dynamic scenario executed byone of the DVD-like module 23 to the Browser module 25.

In the playback apparatus configured as described above, as a result ofthe DVD-like module 23 to the Browser module 25 having the playbackcontrol engine 21 perform a PL playback in accordance with the dynamicscenario having been read into the dynamic scenario memory 20, theplayback as shown in FIGS. 46A and 46B is achieved, Especially, when theplayback shown in FIG. 46B is performed, the US-release version of themovie production recorded on a BD-ROM can be developed into aJapan-release version.

The following describes other examples of variations in the cases wherea newest version of a dynamic scenario is downloaded as an update kit.The following section discusses an update kit for employing a parentallock on a movie production recorded on a BD-ROM.

FIG. 48A shows what is recorded on a BD-ROM. What is recorded on theBD-ROM are PL #1, PL #2, and PL #3. The PL #2 includes sexual or violentscenes and requires an age limit for viewers, the age limit beingrepresented by, for example, PG-18.

FIG. 48D is an update kit for the BD-ROM shown in FIG. 48A. PL #4included in the update kit is an additional PL. The PL #4 is a PL fordisplaying a menu and receiving a user selection from the user. Thismenu is to receive, from the user, a selection of either viewing by achild or viewing by an adult. The result of the selection is set in SPRM(13). In the PL #4, images that have a similar substance as the PL #2are expressed in a cartoon-like manner to suit for viewing by children.

The replacement dynamic scenario (a Java object) plays back the PL #4,before playing back three PLs such as the PL #1, PL #2, and PL #3, andafter a user selection is made, switches between the playback of PL #4and the playback of PL #2 according to the user selection. The PL #4 isfor receiving a setting for the parental level (SPRM (13)) in theplayback apparatus. In the case where SPRM (13) is set as “Adult Only”(it (SPRM (13)==Adult Only)), the PL #2 is played back (Link(PL#2, Cell#1)). If the parental level in the playback apparatus is set assomething else (else), the PL #5 is played back (Link (PL #5, Cell #1)).Since switching is achieved between playback of violent scenes andplayback of scenes suitable for children depending on the setting inSPRM (13), even if a movie production distributed on a ED-ROM includessome violent scenes, it is possible to add a parental lock to the BD-RONin a retrofitting manner.

FIGS. 49A and 49B schematically show the playback procedures realizedwith a dynamic scenario recorded on a BD-ROM and a dynamic scenarioincluded in an update kit. The arrows pc1 and pc 2 in the drawingsymbolically shows a conditional playback with a dynamic scenario in theupdate kit. As apparent from the drawing, switching between playing backthe PL #2 and playing back the PL #5 is achieved depending on the valueof SPRM (13). Since the control over whether the PL #2 is to be playedback or the PL #2 is to be bypassed and avoided is performed dependingon the value of SPRM (13), even if the program recorded on the BD-ROMhas no function of bypassing the PL #2, it is possible to realize theplayback control of bypassing the PL #2 in a retrofitting manner withthe use of the dynamic scenario distributed from a web site.

The following section discusses an update kit for developing atheater-release version of a movie production recorded on a BD-ROM intoa director's cut version.

In a theater-release version of a movie production, some scenes havebeen cut and edited, so that the running time is not longer than alittle over two hours. The running time is usually a little over twohours so that the number of times a movie is shown at a movie theater ina day can be increased. In other words, due to some circumstances thathave nothing to do with the movie director's intention, editing/cuttingis involved in a theater-release version of a movie production.

On the other hand, in a director's cut version of a movie production,unreleased scenes and some scenes that have been cut in the editingprocess are added to the theater-release version. The ideas and emotionsof the movie director's intention are represented in a director's cutversion.

FIGS. 50A and 50B show an update kit for developing a theater-releaseversion of edited images recorded on a SD-ROM into a director's cutversion. FIG. 50A shows the PL #1, the PL #2, a dynamic scenario (a Javaobject) that are recorded on a BD-ROM. FIG. 50B shows an update kit. Theupdate kit includes an additional PL #3 and a replacement dynamicscenario.

In the case where a playback order (PL #1, PL #2) shown in FIG. 51A isdefined by a dynamic scenario recorded on the BD-ROM, the replacementdynamic scenario (a Java object) inserts the PL #3, which forms anunreleased scene, between the PL #1 and the PL #2. FIG. 51B shows theplayback procedure with a replacement dynamic scenario. Because of thedynamic scenario, the PLs are played back in the order of the PL #1, thePL #3, and then the PL #2.

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, by downloading,onto the playback apparatus, a dynamic scenario for branching dependingon the status setting of the playback apparatus as a dynamic scenariofor updating, it is possible to enable the user to view a version of amovie production that does not exist on the BD-ROM.

Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realizean action that is equivalent to an upgrade to a higher version providedafter a movie production is distributed on a ROM disc. Like upgrades ofpersonal computer software after distribution, movie productionsdistributed on optical discs are also able to have upgrades; therefore,the burdens on creators of movie productions are lessened. Here, anupgrade of a piece of computer software is realized through installing apiece of software recorded on a ROM disc onto a personal computer anddownloading a new update kit to be added to the HD. The upgrade of themovie production is different from the upgrade of the piece of computersoftware in that the playback apparatus does not install the upgradeonto the HD. Since the upgrade is not installed onto the HD, it ispossible to avoid the situation where the installment onto the RDbecomes a beginning of endless duplicates.

Sixth Embodiment

The sixth embodiment is related to an improvement for realizing versioncontrol of virtual packages. FIG. 52 shows a directory structure of anHD according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the HDhas a Vpackage directory below the ROOT directory and has abc directoryand XYZ directory below the Vpackage directory.

“Vpackage” in the drawing is a directory that is positioned above adirectory in which an update kit for a BD-ROM is stored. Since thedirectory storing the update kit for the BD-ROM is positionedsubordinate to the Vpackage directory, the directory storing the updatekit is distinct from other directories in which other files are stored.When a BD-ROM is loaded, the control unit 16 is able to check whether ornot an update kit exists by checking whether a directory named Vpackageexists.

In the drawing, “XYZ” and “abc” are each a volume label of a BD-ROM. Itmeans that in the local HD 12 exist directories that correspond to aBD-ROM having a volume label named “XYZ” and a BD-ROM having a volumelabel named “abc”. The sub-directories “Version 2” and “Version 3” thatare positioned subordinate to the directory “XYZ” indicate the locationsof update kits for updating the BD-ROM having the volume label “XYZ”into version 2 and into version 3. By arranging a sub-directory below adirectory corresponding to each BD-ROM, it is possible to separatelystore update kits for different versions of a BD-ROM.

Thus, the description of the improvement on the local HD 12 according tothe present embodiment is completed. The following describes theimprovements on the constituent elements (the download unit 11 and themodule manger 26) of the playback apparatus 200, the improvements beingrelated to the directory structure of the local HD 12.

When downloading an update kit from the WWW server 500, the downloadunit 11 generates a new directory that corresponds to the BD-ROM in thelocal HD 12 and gives the directory a name that is the same as thevolume label of the BD-ROM. In the case where a directory correspondingto the SD-ROM exists in the local HD 12, a new sub-directory isgenerated within the directory that corresponds to the individualBD-ROM. The new sub-directory has a directory name that corresponds to anew version of what is recorded on the BD-ROM. The update kit downloadedfrom the WWW server 500 is written into the new sub-directory. Forexample, in the case where an update kit that should be stored into thedirectory “XYZ” is for the second version, a sub-directory whosedirectory name is “Version 2” is generated below the directory “XYZ”. Inthe case where an update kit is for the third version, a sub-directorywhose directory name is “Version 3”, is generated below the directory“XYZ”. Subsequently, the download unit 11 accesses the WWW server 500,downloads an update kit, and writes the downloaded update kit into asub-directory for the corresponding version.

When a BD-ROM has been loaded onto the playback apparatus 200, themodule manager 26 reads a volume label from the BD-ROM and specifies,out of a plurality of directories in the local HD 12, a directory thatmatches the read volume label. Then, the module manager 26 checkswhether or not sub-directories exist below the specified directory. Ifsub-directories exist, the module manager 26 refers to the directorynames of the sub-directories, accesses to a sub-directory of which theversion number incorporated into the directory name is the newest, andreads the update kit from the sub-directory. Thus, the description ofthe improvements on the constituent elements related to the directorystructure according to the present embodiment is completed.

As described above, a virtual package constituted with update kits thatare stored separately for each version is unifyingly managed with theuse of package unification information. The following describes thepackage unification information (INFO. BD) for each virtual package.FIG. 53 shows the internal structure of INFO. BD. The “INFO. BD” in aBD-ROM package and in a virtual package includes an Index Table, generalinformation (General), and a PLList.

The Index Table is made up of a plurality of indexes for a dynamicscenario. The indexes include a FirstPlay INDEX and a menu INDEX. TheFirstPlay INDEX specifies a dynamic scenario that the playback apparatusshould execute first when a BD-ROM is loaded onto the playback apparatus(i.e. a start-up dynamic scenario).

The menu INDEX specifies a dynamic scenario that the playback apparatusshould execute when the user performs a “menu call”. The menus include aTop menu, a Title menu, a Chapter menu, an Audio menu, and a SubTitlemenu. With the use of these INDEXes, the processing to be performed whenthe SD-ROM is loaded onto the playback apparatus or when a menu call isperformed is defined in a BD-ROM package. As a result, INFO. SD definesthe behavior of the BD-ROM package.

The following describes the general information (General), and thePLList.

The leaders with broken lines gh1 highlight the internal structure ofthe general information “General”. As shown by these leaders, thegeneral information “General” has a “Package Name”, a “Package Version”,a download permission flag “Downloadability”, a “URI”, and an“Expiration Date”.

The “Package Name” is a name of a package that is in common between aBD-ROM package and a virtual package. Normally, the title of a movie isused as the “Package Name”. The package name is used for bringing aBD-ROM package and a virtual package in correspondence with each other.

The “Package Version” expresses a version to which INFO. BD belongs as anumerical value. For example, for INFO. BD on the BD-ROM, the packageversion is set as “Version 1”, whereas for INFO. BD in the virtualpackage, the package version is set as “version 2” or later.

The download permission flag “Downloadability” is a flag that indicateswhether there is a possibility that an update kit may be provided in thefuture. In the case where the flag of INFO. BD recorded on a BD-ROMindicates “Undownloadable”, it means that there is no possibility thatan update kit may be provided. When the flag indicates “Downloadable”,it means that an update kit for upgrading to a higher version may beprovided.

By setting the downloadability flag so as to indicate that upgrading toa higher version is impossible, the virtual package is prohibited frombeing played back with an update kit. This situation may look like adisadvantage to the people in the business because there is nopossibility of providing upgrades to higher versions; however, when thedownloadability flag indicates that upgrades are impossible, to playback a combination of a BD-ROM with an update kit is prohibited, and itis therefore impossible to create a parody of a movie production withabuse of an update kit and defame the creator of the movie. In view ofbeing able to avoiding defamation, there is a great advantage in settingthe downloadability flag so as to indicate “undownloadable”.

“URI” stands for Unified Resource Identifier, and it indicates, if thereis a possibility that an update kit may be provided, a WWW site in thenetwork in which the update kit exists. The download unit 11 is able toobtain a newest version of an update kit by accessing the WWW siteindicated by the URI.

The “Expiration Date” shows the date until which the downloaded updatekit is valid. The playback control engine 21 compares the current dateand time clocked by the calendar and the clock inside the playbackapparatus with this piece of information of the expiration date andchecks if the update kit is valid or is past the expiration date. Whenthe current date and time is before the expiration date, playback isperformed with the use of the update kit including INFO.BD. When thecurrent date and time is past the expiration date, playback with the useof the update kit including INFO. BD is not performed.

The following describes the internal structure of a “PLList”. Theleaders with broken lines gh2 highlight the internal structure of a“PLList”. A PLList includes the number of the PlayLists included in thepackage (Number) and pieces of entry information for each PlayList(PLEntries #1-#n).

In each of the pieces of playlist entry information “PLEntries”, it ispossible to make the setting of, for each piece of PL information,information such as “Package Version”, “Storage Name”, “PlayList Name”,and alternative PL information “Alternative”.

The “package Version” expresses a version to which the piece of PLinformation corresponding to the PL Entry belongs, as a numerical value.For example, for a piece of PL information on a BD-ROM, the Packageversion is set as Version 1, whereas for a piece of PL information in avirtual package, the Package Version is set as “Version 2” or later.

The “StorageName” indicates in which one of, for example, a BD-ROM, aHD, a semiconductor memory card, and a server in the Internet, the pieceof PL information corresponding to the PLEntry is located. Since it isthe download unit 11 that positions a piece of PL information either ina HD or in a semiconductor memory card, the download unit 11automatically provides this information after downloading an update kit.

The “PlayList Name” is a serial number for the piece of PL informationcorresponding to the PLEntry, and a value such as PL #1 is set.

The alternative PL information, “Alternative”, indicates a playlist thatshould be alternatively played back in case a piece of PL informationcorresponding to the PLEntry is damaged due to a download failure or atrouble in the HD. When a piece of PL information is damaged, it meansthat it is impossible to properly interpret the piece of PL informationdue to circumstances such as (i) the CELL information constituting thepiece of PL information fails to specify an AV stream, (ii) the In pointand the Out point of the CELL information constituting the piece of PLinformation are improper, and (iii) the piece of PL information isalready deleted. The alternative PL information normally specifies apiece of PL information recorded on a BD-ROM. The reason is because itis rare that PL information on a BD-ROM gets damaged.

Thus, the description of INFO. BD for a virtual package is completed.The following describes an improvement on a playback apparatus (thedownload unit 11, and the module manager 26) related to INFO. BD.

The download unit 11 refers to the URI in the General information inINFO. BD and downloads an update kit or an upgrade from the WWW server500 in the network indicated by the URI, and writes the downloadedupdate kit into a directory that corresponds to the individual SD-ROM inthe local HD 12. The download unit 11 refers to a calendar inside theplayback apparatus 200 and judges whether or not the current date andtime has reached the date and time indicated by the “Expiration Date” inthe General information in INFO. BD. If the current date and time isbefore the expiration date, the download unit 11 accesses the WWW server500 based on the URI in the General information in INFO. SD and attemptsto perform the download.

The playback control engine 21 checks, prior to the processing of apiece of PL information, if the piece of PL information located at thelocation indicated by the Storage Name in the PLEntry is damaged or not.If not damaged, the piece of PL information located at the locationindicated by the Storage Name in the PL Entry is interpreted. If thepiece of PL information is damaged, a piece of PL information indicatedby the “Alternative” in the PLEntry is read and interpreted.

The module manager 26 plays back a virtual package according to the flowchart in FIG. 54. The following describes the processing procedureperformed by the module manager 26 according to the present embodiment,with reference to the flow chart.

The dynamic scenario i in the flow chart in FIG. 54 denotes a dynamicscenario i being the target of reading from the BD-ROM or from the localHD 12.

It is judged whether or not the Downloadability flag in INFO.BD on theBD-ROM indicates “undownloadable” (Step S60: YES). After a newestversion of INFO. BD is read from a subordinate directory in the HD (StepS61), an initial setting of the dynamic scenario i is made (Step S63).

In the case where the downloadability flag in the INFO. BD indicates“undownloadable”, INFO. BD is read from the BD-ROM, and control isperformed targeting only the BD-ROM. In the case where thedownloadability flag indicates “undownloadable”, it is possible to readthe dynamic scenario, the PT, information, the AV stream and the streammanagement information without accessing the local HD 12; therefore, theplayback processing is performed swiftly. During the initial setting, adynamic scenario that is written in the FirstPlay INDEX in the IndexTable within INFO. BD is set as the dynamic scenario i (Step S63).

In Step S64, a newest version of the dynamic scenario is searched for.In the case where a newest version of the dynamic scenario i exists in asubordinate directory in the HD (Step S64: YES), the newest version ofthe dynamic scenario i is read from the subordinate directory in the HD(Step S66). In the case where a newest version does not exist in thesubordinate directory, the dynamic scenario i is read from the BD-ROM(Step S65).

After the dynamic scenario i is read, each of the commands constitutingthe dynamic scenario i is executed (Steps S67 through S71). When acommand to be executed is a branching command, the branching destinationin the command is set as the dynamic scenario i (Step S71), and theprocedure advances to Step S64.

When a command to be executed is a command for calling a PlayPLfunction, PL playback processing is performed in Step S72. When the PLis played back at this time, it is necessary to search for a newestversion of the PL information. The following describes the procedure ofsearching for a PL, with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 55A. The PLto be played back in Steps S91 through S95 in the flow chart will bereferred to as the PL #k.

The Storage Name is read from the PLEntry of the Pt #k in the PLList inINFO. BD (Step S91). The playback control engine 21 is instructed tojudge whether or not what is stored in the storage is damaged (StepS92). When what is stored is valid, the piece of PL informationindicated by the PLEntry of the PL #k is set as the PL information #k(Step S93). When what is stored is invalid, the piece of PL informationindicated by the Alternative information in the PLEntry of the PL #k isset as the PL information #k(Step S94). After the PL information #k isset in the above process, the PL information #k is read (Step S95).

Thus, the description of the procedure of searching for a PL iscompleted. The following describes searching for a newest version of anAV stream specified by PL information.

FIG. 55B is a flow chart that shows the processing procedure ofsearching for a version of an AV stream. The processing in Steps S78through S82 is to repeat the processing in Steps S80 through s82 foreach of the Entries in the CELL Information (Steps S78 and S79).

The Entries in the CELL information include an Audio Entry in an AudioTable, a Subtitle Entry in a SubTitle Table, and an Angle Entry. Amongthese Entries, an Entry being the processing target will be referred toas the Entry #p. The processing in Steps S80 through S82 is a processingfor judging a target to read data from, i.e. judgment is made as to fromwhich of the ED or the BD-ROM, the AV Stream specified by each Entryshould be read. In Step s80, it is judged whether a newest version ofthe AV stream specified by the Entry #p exists in a subordinatedirectory in the HD. If the newest version exists (Step S80: YES) thenewest version of AV stream and the stream management information in thelocal HD 12 and the AV stream and the stream management information onthe BD-ROM are set as the reading targets (Step S81). If the newestversion does not exist in the subordinate directory, the AV stream andthe stream management information on the BD-ROM are set as the readingtargets (Step S82). By performing the processing described in the first,second, or third embodiment of the present invention, so as to read thereading targets set above, it is possible to selectively output one of(a) the audio, the subtitle, and the angle recorded on the BD-ROM and(b) the audio, the subtitle, and the angle recorded in the local HD 12.

The following describes the process of reading an AV stream, streammanagement information, and PL information in accordance with theprocessing procedure described in the flow chart, using specificexamples. The description in this section is based on an assumption thatthere is a directory structure shown in FIG. 52.

In the aforementioned flow chart, in the case where files in newerversions than the file recorded on the BD-ROM exist in the HD, thenewest one of those files in the HD is selected and read. FIG. 56schematically shows the process of reading files stored on a BD-ROM, inthe Version 2 directory, and in the Version 3 directory.

In the drawing, the four boxes with broken lines arranged across thepage symbolically show the BD-ROM, the Version 2 directory, the Version3 directory, and the buffer in the playback apparatus. The white boldarrows symbolically show the selections of files being selected by thecontrol unit 16 from among the files stored on the BD-ROM and in theVersion 2 and the Version 3 directories.

The arrow nj1 schematically shows reading INFO, BD in Step S61. In thecase where INFO.BD is stored on the BD-ROM and in the Version 2 and theVersion 3 directories, as a result of the reading process, INFO. BDstored in the version 3 directory is read into the memory.

The arrow nj2 schematically shows reading a piece of PL information,“002.PL”, in Step S66. In the case where “002.PL” is stored on theBD-ROM and in the Version 2 and the Version 3 directories, as a resultof the reading process, 002.PL stored in the Version 3 directory is readinto the memory.

When a file is in a plurality of different versions, a selection is madeso that the file is taken from a directory in the newest version so thatAV streams, PL information, and dynamic scenarios are supplied;therefore, it is possible to supplement the functions of a packagereleased on a BD-ROM, with an update kit downloaded from the WWW server500.

Since it is possible to supplement functions that are missing from theBD-ROM or from an update kit that has already been distributed, with anewer version of update kit, even if a problem arises in the BD-ROM orthe update kit that has already been distributed, the distributor isable to correct the errors without recalling the products. Since thereis no risk of having to recall the products, it is possible to eliminatedistributors' anxiety experienced when movie productions aredistributed.

In the flow charts shown in FIGS. 54 and 55, only the newest version ofset of INFO. BD, dynamic scenario, and PL information is read into thememory; however, it is acceptable to sequentially read all the versionsof sets of INFO. ED, dynamic scenario, and PL information into thememory and to generate a virtual package in the memory, from a newestversion of set of INFO. BD, dynamic scenario and PL information, byworking on a principle that an older version of set of INFO. BD, dynamicscenario, and PL information is overwritten by a newer version of set ofINFO. BD, dynamic scenario, and PL information.

Seventh Embodiment

In the sixth embodiment, when a plurality of versions of an update kitexist in the local HD 12, a newest version among those is played back.In the seventh embodiment, virtual packages in different versions arepresented to the user so that the user is able to select a preferredvirtual package.

Since it is possible to play back different versions of virtualpackages, the present embodiment has an arrangement wherein histories ofplayback and recording for each version are kept in the local HD 12, aserver, or a semiconductor memory card. Information indicating thehistories of playback and recording for each version will be referred toas virtual version information, A table showing pieces of virtualversion information for different versions of virtual packages will bereferred to as a virtual package table.

FIG. 57 shows the structure of a virtual package table. The virtualpackage table “BD Table” is stored in a file “VP. INFO”, and located ina directory “Vpackage” shown in FIG. 52. The virtual package tableincludes BD Entries (BDEntries #) and the number of the Entries(Number). Each of the BD Entries is the information (virtual packageinformation) for a corresponding “INFO. BD”.

FIG. 58 shows the structure of a virtual package table for INFO. BDs.The virtual package table is structured with “Package Name” of eachversion, “recording position information” showing where the update kitconstituting the virtual package is recorded, and “ending positioninformation” showing the playback ending point in an immediatelyprevious playback of the package. For example, for the package “ABC”, itis shown that the recording position of the update kit is the “ABC”directory in the local HD, and the ending position of the immediatelyprevious playback of the package is at the time point of 3 minutes and24 seconds in the CELL #1 of the PL #2. For the package “XYZ”, there isno recording position information (shown as “-----” in the drawing). Itmeans that the package is not a virtual package, but is an originalpackage recorded on a SD-ROM. For the package “WWW”, it is shown thatthe recording position is “Memory: ¥WWW”. It means that the recordingposition of the update kit is the directory “WWW” in a semiconductormemory card. No ending position information is provided because thepackage has not been played back yet.

For the package “JKF”, it is shown that the package is recorded in thedirectory “JKF” in a home server.

Thus, the description of virtual version information is completed. Thefollowing describes improvements on the playback apparatus side (thedownload unit 11, the playback control engine 21, and the module manager26) according go the present embodiment.

When downloading an update kit from the WWW server 500, the downloadunit 11 sets the recording position information which shows the writingposition as virtual version information for the version corresponding tothe update kit.

When playback of a PL is finished, the playback control engine 21generates information indicating the playback ending point and sets thisinformation into virtual version information for the versioncorresponding to the PL.

The module manager 26 unifyingly controls the playback apparatus 200 inaccordance with the flow chart in FIG. 59. The following describes theprocedure of playing back a PL with reference to FIG. 59.

When the procedure shown in this flow chart starts to be executed, it isjudged whether or not a virtual package table exists (Step S81), and alist of virtual packages is displayed (Step S82).

FIG. 60 shows a screen showing the list in Step S82. Each of the buttons(“1: ORIGINAL”, “2: VIRTUAL PACKAGE 1”, and “3: VIRTUAL PACKAGE 2”) onthe screen showing the list visualizes a different one of the versionsof the virtual packages and changes into a selected state and aconfirmed state according to a user operation. The screen showing thelist is displayed, and the procedure waits until a user selects avirtual package (Step S83). After a selection is made, it is judgedwhether or not recording position information for the selected virtualpackage #r exists (Step S84). If recording position information exists,INFO. BD of the version #r is read from the storage indicated by therecording position information (Step S85), and a dynamic scenariowritten in the FirstPlay INDEX in the INDEX Table for the version #r isset as the dynamic scenario i (step S86).

When no recording position information exists, INFO. BD is read from theBD-ROM (Step S87), and a dynamic scenario written in the FirstPlayINDEXin the INDEX TABLE in the INFO. BD is set as the dynamic scenario i(step S88). At this time, the number of the virtual package selected bythe user is stored in SPRM (24).

When the dynamic scenario i has been set in the process described above,the processing in Steps S67 through S73 is performed. During thisprocessing, every time the playback control engine 21 plays back a PL(Step S72), the eventual playback position is written as ending positioninformation in the virtual version information (Step S89).

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, when there is aplurality of versions of a virtual package, it is managed, for each ofthe versions, how much of the version is viewed by the user; therefore,it is possible to prevent the user from experiencing confusion caused bythe fact that there exist different versions at the same time.

Eighth Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the update kit is stored in the local HD 12 inthe playback apparatus. The eights embodiment is related to animprovement by which an update kit can be stored in various places suchas in a semiconductor memory card, a home server, or the like. Since anupdate kit can be stored in various locations such as a semiconductormemory card, or a home server, the playback apparatus of the presentembodiment searches for an update kit with the procedure shown in StepsS91 through S96 in FIG. 61, instead of the procedure shown in Steps S64through S66 in FIG. 54 and in Steps S80 through S81 in FIG. 55B.

Step S8 in the flow chart is for reading an update kit from the local HD12, a server, or a semiconductor memory card, Step S10 is for reading,in the case where no update kit exists, PL information, streammanagement information, and AV streams from the BD-ROM.

In order to search for a newest version, it is judged whether or not alocal HD 12 is built in the playback apparatus. In the case where an HDis built in (Step S91), and virtual package information exists in thelocal HD 12 (Step S92: YES), an update kit is read in Step S97.

On the other hand, in the case where no virtual package informationexists in the local RD 12, but the playback apparatus is able to have aconnection with a server (Step S93), and virtual package informationexists in the server (step S94), an update kit is read in Step S97,also.

Finally, in the case where no virtual package information exists in theHD 12 and in the home server, but the playback apparatus 200 is able tohave a connection with a semiconductor memory card (Step S95), andvirtual package information exists in the home server (Step s96), anupdate kit is read, also (Step S97).

In the case where no local HD 12 is built in, and the playback apparatusis not able to have a connection with a home server or a semiconductormemory card, PL information, stream management information, and AVstreams are read from the BD-ROM (Step S98).

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, even if updatekits dispersedly exist in various devices and media, a necessary updatekit is taken out from one of the locations; therefore, in order todownload an update kit, there is no need to fix the location at which anupdate kit is located. Accordingly, it is possible to more freelydetermine where an update kit should be located.

In the present embodiment, the processing is pursued in the order of theHD, a home server, and a semiconductor memory; however, it is possibleto change the order. For example, it is acceptable to check for a serverconnection first, and a semiconductor memory card second, and then,lastly the HD.

Ninth Embodiment

In the first through seventh embodiments, an update kit is recorded intothe HD. In contrast, the present embodiment is related to an improvementfor writing an update kit into an SD memory card that has a secure areaand an insecure area. FIG. 62 shows the structure of the playbackapparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. The playbackapparatus 200 in the drawing is different in that it has a built-in SDmemory card 30. The playback apparatus of the present embodimentencrypts files constituting an update kit, writes them into theunprotected area of the SD memory card 30, and writes the encryption keyinto the protected area of the SD memory card 30. It is impossible toread the encryption key recorded in the protected area unlessauthenticity is confirmed through an authentication process with the SDmemory card. With this arrangement, it is impossible to illegitimatelycopy the update kit. It is possible to read the update kit only when theupdate kit is used along with the BD-ROM.

In the ease where an update kit is stored in an SD memory card, thecontrol unit 16 writes the medium identification information of theoriginal BD-ROM that corresponds to the update kit into the protectedarea. With this arrangement, it is possible to bring the original BD-ROMand the SD memory card in correspondence with each other. In addition,when playback is performed thereafter, it is checked prior to theplayback whether the SD memory card and the BD-ROM match each other. Ifthey match each other, playback of the movie production is permitted. Ifthey do not match, the playback apparatus 200 is prohibited fromperforming the playback.

With this arrangement, when an update kit exists, performing playbackwith only the BD-ROM is prohibited. That is to say, playback isperformed always with a combination of the BD-ROM and the update kit.

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, since an updatekit is encrypted and stored in an SD memory card along with theencryption key, it is possible to restrict illegitimate copies of updatekits.

Additionally, if there arises some trouble with a BD-ROM package thatwas distributed in the past, an update kit to be sent later will bestored in an SD memory card so that playback is performed always withthe combination of the SD memory card and the BD-ROM; therefore, it ispossible to realize control so that troubles in the past do not come tothe surface.

Supplementary Information

The invention has been so far described according to the embodiments;however, the description above merely presents examples of systems thatare expected to achieve best effects in the present situation. Thepresent invention may be embodied in modifications as long as it doesnot deviate from the main gist thereof. Examples of typical modifiedembodiments are shown below under (A), (B), (C), and so on.

(A) PL information may be structured as shown in FIG. 63. To be morespecific, Clip Entries in the PL information shown in FIG. 17 specifyonly AV streams recorded on the BD-ROM, while the Audio Entry specifiesaudio in the local HD 12. In contrast, the PL information shown in FIG.63 includes two or more Clip Entries so that the second and/or laterClip Entries specify AV streams in the local HD 12.

(B) The BD buffer 2, the demultiplexer 3, the video decoder 4, the audiodecoder 6, the HD buffer 13, the demultiplexer 14, and the switch 15shown in FIG. 12 may be structured as shown in FIG. 64A and FIG. 64B.The buffer 71 and the buffer 72 temporarily store the ACCESS UNITsoutputted from the BD buffer 2 and the HD buffer 13. The filter 73combines the ACCESS UNITs that are temporarily stored in the buffer 71and the buffer 72 into one stream. The demultiplexer 3 demultiplexes thecombined stream so as to obtain a video stream and an audio stream andoutputs them to the video decoder 4 and the audio decoder 6,respectively. Further, it is acceptable to have a structure as shown inFIG. 64B. Being separate from the audio decoder 6, an audio decoder 76is provided for decoding the audio frames outputted from the HD buffer13. A selector 75 selectively outputs one of (a) the results of decodingperformed by the audio decoder 6 and (b) the results of decodingperformed by the audio decoder 76.

The audio decoder 76 performs decoding processing by referring to a timeobtained by adding an offset to a time stamp attached to a TS packet.With this arrangement wherein the audio decoder 76 is provided, theaudio decoder 6 does not need to switch between whether or not theoffset should be referred to.

(C) The arrangement wherein an update kit is provided from the WWWserver 500 is a mere example. It is acceptable to have an arrangementwherein a BD-ROM or a DVD on which only an update kit is recorded isdistributed to users so that the update kit can be taken from the BD-ROMor the DVD. It is also acceptable to have an arrangement wherein anupdate kit is distributed from the WWW server 500 to a KIOSK terminal sothat the KIOSK terminal writes the update kit into a semiconductormemory card, and the update kit is taken into the playback apparatus viathe semiconductor memory card.

(D) It is desirable to download data from the WWW server 500 accordingto a dynamic scenario in a Java mode or a Browser mode. A dynamicscenario in a Java mode or a Browser mode is written in a mark-uplanguage such as the Java language, HTML, XML, or the like and recordedonto a BD-ROM. With this arrangement wherein download is performed withsuch video data, it is possible to prearrange programming so that anupdate kit is automatically downloaded when a predetermined time hasarrived. It is also useful to prearrange programming so that download isperformed at regular time intervals. It is acceptable to download anupdate kit in synchronization with playback of a PL. For example, it isacceptable to prearrange programming so that an update kit is downloadedduring the playback period of movie trailers recorded on a BD-ROM.

(E) It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein some pieces of datathat are included only in a U.S. distribution version are sold, asupdate kits, to users who reside outside the U.S.A. A movie productionto be distributed to a country other than the U.S.A. needs to have audioand/or subtitles in the native language (non-English) of the countrymultiplexed onto the AV stream. When the AV stream is generated, it isnecessary to reserve a bandwidth for the sub-images and audio. It isoften the case that, in order to reserve such a bandwidth, some data forinteractive operations which is multiplexed onto an AV stream in a U.S.version is deleted from the AV stream in a version for other countriesbesides the U.S.A. For this reason, in the case where many users wish tohave a U.S. version, distributing such data in the U.S. version to usersin many other countries in the world as update kits makes it possible tomeet the demands of the users.

(F) As to directory names the volume label is used as medium informationof a BD-ROM so that a directory corresponding to the BD-ROM is generatedin the local HD 12; however, it is acceptable to use other informationas long as the information is related to the medium. It is acceptable touse a code being unique to the BD-ROM, such as medium identificationinformation.

(G) It is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein a directory for eachindividual user is provided below directories corresponding to BD-ROMsso that dynamic scenarios, PL information, AV streams, and streammanagement information used by a particular user is stored in thedirectory for the user. Further, it is acceptable to have an arrangementwherein, when a user plays back a BD-ROM, an AV stream is played backwith the use of the dynamic scenarios, PL information, AV streams, andstream management information that are in the directory assigned to theuser. With this arrangement, it is possible to achieve control so that aPL is played back without a parental lock for a directory assigned tofather in a family, while the PL is played back with a parental lock fora directory assigned to children in the family.

(H) The AV stream in an update kit according to the first embodimentincludes only an audio stream for a single language, which is audio inthe Japanese language; however, it is acceptable to have an arrangementwherein audio streams for a plurality of languages such as Japanese,Chinese, and Korean languages are recorded as an AV stream. In such acase, the update kit includes an AV stream on which the plurality ofaudio streams are multiplexed. The AV stream in an update kit accordingto the second embodiment includes only a sub-image stream for a singlelanguage, which is a subtitle in the Japanese language; however, it isacceptable to have an arrangement wherein sub-image streams for aplurality of languages such as Japanese, Chinese, and Korean languagesare recorded as an AV stream. In such a case, the update kit includes anAV stream on which the plurality of sub-image streams are multiplexed.

Further, it is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein the downloadunit 11 downloads an update kit that includes an AV stream on which asub-image stream and an audio stream are multiplexed.

(I) The download unit 11 may obtain an update kit via FTP through an FTPcontrol connection and an FTP data connection as described below. TheFTP control connection is established between a user PI (ProtocolInterpreter) within the playback apparatus 200 and a user PI (ProtocolInterpreter) within the WWW server 500, so that an FTP command and anFTP reply are transferred.

The FTP connection is established between a user DTP (Data TransferProcess) within the playback apparatus 200 and a user DTP (Data TransferProcess) within the WWW server 500, so that the update kit istransferred.

(J) In all of the embodiments, an optical disk to be played back by theplayback apparatus is implemented as a BD-ROM, while a recording mediumon which an update kit is recorded is implemented as an HD. However, thecharacteristics of the playback apparatus of the present invention arenot dependent on the physical properties of a BD-ROM and an HD. Any formof recording media is applicable as long as it is possible to record anAV stream on the recording media. For example, optical disks Such asDVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R, CD-R, CD-RW, and thelike, and optical-magnetic disks such as PD, MO and the like areapplicable. Semiconductor memory cards such as compact flash cards,Smart Media, Memory Sticks, MultiMedia Cards, and PCM-CIA Cards and thelike are also applicable, as are (i) magnetic recording disks such asflexible disks, SuperDisk, Zip, Clik! and the like, and (ii) removablehard disk drives such as ORB, Jaz, SparQ, SyJet, EZFlyer, microdrive andthe like. Furthermore, the recording medium may also be a built-in harddisk.

(K) Although the playback apparatuses in all of the embodiments outputAV streams recorded on a BD-ROM to a TV after decoding them, theplayback apparatus may be structured from only a ED-ROM drive, and theTV may be equipped with all of the other elements. In this case, theplayback apparatus and the TV can be incorporated into a home networkconnected using IEEE1394. Also, although the playback apparatuses in theembodiments are of a type used after connecting to a television,integral display-playback apparatuses are also applicable. Furthermore,the playback apparatus may be only those parts of the playbackapparatuses of the embodiments that perform essential parts of theprocessing. Because these playback apparatuses are all inventionsdisclosed in the specification of the present application, actsinvolving the manufacture of playback apparatuses based on an internalstructure of the playback apparatuses shown in the embodiments areimplementations of the inventions disclosed in the specification of thepresent application. Acts that involve transferring, whether onerous orgratuitous, (retail when cost is involved; a gift when no cost isinvolved), lending, or importing of playback apparatuses shown in theembodiments are also implementations of the present invention. Acts thatinvolve approaching the general user about transfer, rental or the likeby means of store front displays, catalogue solicitation, pamphletdistribution and the like are also implementations of these playbackapparatuses.

(L) Because of the information processing by computer programs shown inFIGS. 19, 27, 36, 43, 54, 55, and 61 being realized specifically usinghardware resources, computer programs showing the processing proceduresin the flowcharts form an invention in their own right. Although all ofthe embodiments show embodiments that relate to the implementation ofcomputer programs pertaining to the present invention in an incorporatedform in the playback apparatuses, the computer programs shown in theembodiments may be implemented in their own right, separate from theplayback apparatuses. The implementation of the computer programs inthere own right includes acts that involve: (1) production of theprograms, (2) transference of the programs, either onerous or gratuitous(3) lending of the programs, (4) importing of the programs, (5)providing the programs for the general public via bi-directionalelectronic communications circuits, and (6) approaching the general userabout transfer, rental and the like by means of store front displays,catalogue solicitation, pamphlet distribution, and so forth.

(M) The “time” elements of the steps that are executed chronologicallyin the flow charts shown in FIGS. 19, 27, 36, 43, 54, 55, and 61 areconsidered to be requisite items with which the present invention isidentified. Accordingly, it is understood that the processing proceduresshown in these flow charts disclose usages of playback methods.Executing the processing shown in these flow charts by chronologicallyperforming the processing in the steps so as to achieve the intendedobjects of the present invention and to have the functions and effectsis implementations of the recording methods of the present invention.

(N) When being recorded on a BD-ROM, it is preferable that extensionheaders are provided for TS packets constituting an AV stream. Theextension headers, which are called TP_extra_headers, include an“Arrival_Time_Stamp” and a “copy_permission_indicator”, and have a4-byte data length. TP_extra_header-attached TS packets (hereinafter,abbreviated to “EX-attached TS packet”) are arranged into groups of 32packets, and written into three sectors. Each group comprising 32EX-attached TS packets is 6,144 bytes in length (=32×192), and matchesthe 6,144-byte size of three sectors (=2048×3). The grouping of 32EX-attached TS packets contained in three sectors is referred to as an“Aligned Unit”.

A playback apparatus 200 transmits Aligned Units in transmissionprocessing as described below, when used in a home network connected viaIEEE1394. That is, a device on the side of the sender removes theTP_extra_header from each of the 32 EX-attached TS packets included inan Aligned Unit, and outputs the TS packets after encoding the TS packetbody based on a DTCP standard. When outputting TS packets, isochronouspackets are inserted at various positions between TS packets. Thepositioning of isochronous packets is based on times shown in theArrival_Time_Stamp in each TP_extra_header. The playback apparatus 200outputs a DTCP_Descriptor when outputting the TS packets. TheDTCP_Descriptor shows a copy permissibility setting in eachTP_extra_header. Here, if the DTCP_Descriptor is described so as to show“copy prohibited”, TS packets will not be recorded on other devices whenused in a home network connected via IEEE1394.

(O) In the case where the playback apparatus 200 has a recordingfunction onto a recordable optical disc (such as BD-RE, BD-R, or thelike), it is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein a virtual packagebeing made up of a BD-ROM package in a BD-ROM and one or more updatekits is converted into a BD package, and then written onto a recordableoptical disc.

In such a case, it is desirable that copying of an AV stream is executedbased on copy generation information (CGI) embedded in the AV stream.Copy generation information may indicate “copy free” which means thatthe data is free to be duplicated, “one generation copy” which meansthat recording a duplication of one generation is permitted, “no morecopy” which means that further duplication of a duplication isprohibited, or “never copy” which means that no duplication ispermitted.

In the case where right management information is attached to an AVstream, it is acceptable to have an arrangement wherein copying of theAV stream is executed under the use conditions defined in the rightmanagement information.

If the right management information defines a condition under whichcopying is permitted with the number of times of copying, copying ispermitted as long as the condition is satisfied. If the right managementinformation defines a condition under which copying is permitted with avalidity period (year, month, and date are defined), copying ispermitted as long as the condition is satisfied.

(P) In the case where copying processing has variations such as “move”,“migrate”, or “check out”, it is acceptable that copying is executedbased on the use conditions defined for each of the variations. “Move”is a type of copying processing which includes deletion of contents ofthe copy source and is used when contents are moved between a pluralityof recording media.

“Migrate” is a type of copying processing based on a premise that usecondition information is generated in the copy destination recordingmedium.

“Check out” is a type of copying processing in which the number of timesof copying is limited, and contents are copied after the number of timesof copying is decremented by one. The difference between “copying with alimited number of times of copying” and “check out” is that for “checkout”, it is possible to increment the number of times of copying. Thenumber of times of copying is incremented after a processing (called“check in”) is performed to make it impossible to play back the contentscopied and recorded on the recording medium.

(Q) The AV streams described in the embodiments may be VOBs (VideoObjects) complying with a DVD-Video standard or a DVD-Video Recordingstandard, VOBs are program streams compliant with ISO/IEC13818-1obtained by multiplexing video and audio streams. Also, in eachembodiment, AV streams may be referred to as “AV Clips”, and in whichcase the stream management information may be referred to as “Clipinformation”. In addition, video streams in AV streams may be in MPEG-4format, WMV format, or the like. Furthermore, audio streams may be in aLinear-PCM format, Dolby-AC3 format, MP3 format, or MPEG-AAC format.

The CELL information described in the embodiments specifies a startingpoint and an ending point of each playback section using timeinformation; however, it is acceptable to specify a starting point andan ending point of each playback section using logical addresses in aBD-ROM. Further, each “CELL” described in the embodiments may bereferred to as a “PlayItem”.

(R) In the layer model shown in FIG. 44, it is acceptable to positionthe Browser mode and the Movie mode over the Java mode. The reason forthis is that executing the Movie mode on the Java mode will not causeany problem since, especially, the load put on a playback apparatus byinterpretation of a dynamic scenario in the Movie mode and execution ofcontrol procedure based on a dynamic scenario is light. Another reasonis that, in the course of development of playback apparatuses and movieproductions, it would be sufficient to guarantee operation in only onemode.

Further, it is acceptable to execute the processing in the Java modewith only the Java mode, without having the three modes. The reason isthat it is not necessary to have the Movie mode particularly since, evenin the Java mode, it is possible to have playback control insynchronization with playback of PLs. Furthermore, control with dynamicscenarios may be only in the Movie mode or only in the Browser mode.

(S) The “TMAP” in the stream management information may be referred toas an “EP_map”. In such a case, it is desirable to express a playbackstarting time of an ACCESS UNIT with a time stamp (Presentation TimeStamp) on a piece of picture data positioned at the head of the ACCESSUNIT. In addition, it is desirable to express the address in an ACCESSUNIT as a serial packet number (SPN) of a PES packet.

(T) As for the configuration of the playback apparatus, it is describedthat only a current dynamic scenario is stored in the dynamic scenariomemory 20 and that only current stream management information andcurrent PL information are stored in the static scenario memory 10;however, it is acceptable to store in advance, like in a cache memory, aplurality of scenarios, pieces of stream management information, andpieces of PL information. With this arrangement, it is possible toshorten the time lag that may be experienced before these kinds of dataare read from a BD-ROM.

(U) In order to continuously play back two or more CELLs that constitutea PL, it is desirable to process these CELLs so that these CELLs areconnected with one another seamlessly. In order to process the CELLs tohave seamless connection, duplicate portions of an ending portion of apreceding playback section and a starting portion of a followingplayback section in video data are generated in advance, and theseduplicate portions are re-encoded. As additional information, it isacceptable to refer to the duplicate portions generated for the purposeof seamless connection as Bridge Clips.

Here, it is desirable to set the ending portion and the starting portionin the following manner.

In the preceding AV stream, ACCESS UNITs starting from an ACCESS UNITthat includes the Out point of the preceding playback section and up tothe second ACCESS UNIT from the ACCESS UNIT is set as the endingportion. In the following CELL information #x+1, an ACCESS UNIT thatincludes the In point of the following playback section is set as thestarting portion. The reason why the ending portion and the startingportion are set as above is described in the publication of the U.S.Pat. No. 6,148,140 which is the prior art by the same applicant. Thepublication may be referred to for the details.

Further, it is desirable to prepare seamless connection information forthe duplicate portions generated for the purpose of seamless connection.The seamless connection information includes the playback starting timeof the first video frame, the playback ending time of the last videoframe, the starting time of an audio gap, the time length of the audiogap, and the position information of the audio gap. By defining suchseamless connection information, it is possible to calculate adifference (STC-Offset) between the time stamps of the playback sectionsfrom the playback starting time of the first video frame and theplayback ending time of the last video frame and set the time stampdifference in the playback apparatus. Further, it is possible to preventaudio interruption that may occur during a shift from one section toanother by controlling the audio decoder with reference to the audio gapinformation.

(V) The movie productions described in the embodiments represent allproductions that are expressed with images, such as television moviesand game software. The reason for this is that the movie productionsdescribed in the embodiments (i) are expressed in such a manner so as tocause visual or audio-visual effects through, for example, displays witha cathode ray tube or liquid crystal displays, and (ii) exist whilemaintaining their identity by somehow uniting themselves with acorporeal thing i.e. a BD-ROM, and (iii) are put in the state where theyare reproducible; therefore, the requirements for existence forms ofmovie reproductions are satisfied.

However, the substantial elements of the present invention are notlimited to the fact that the data represents a movie production;therefore, the video data in the present invention may be images in asecurity monitor camera or images in a home-use video camera.

(W) In the embodiments, a user operation is received through a remotecontroller; however, it is acceptable to receive a user operationthrough a front panel of a playback apparatus. It is acceptable toreceive designation by a user through an input device such as akeyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, a pad, a track ball, or the like. Insuch cases, it is acceptable to receive user operations represented asclicks and drags.

(X) The movie productions described in the embodiments may be obtainedby encoding analog image signals broadcasted by analog broadcast. Themovie productions may be of stream data constituted with transportstreams broadcasted by digital broadcast.

Contents may be obtained by encoding analog/digital image signalsrecorded on a videotape. Further, contents may be obtained by encodinganalog/digital image signals taken directly from a video camera.Besides, the present invention is applicable to digital work distributedfrom a distribution server.

(Y) The Java module 24 may be a Java platform incorporated into a devicefor the purposes of receiving satellite broadcast. In the case where theJava module 24 is such a Java platform, the playback apparatus of thepresent invention also serves in the processing by an MHP-oriented STB.

Further, the Java module 24 may be a Java platform incorporated into adevice for the purposes of controlling the processing of a mobile phone.In the case where the Java module 24 is such a Java platform, theplayback apparatus of the present invention also serves in theprocessing by a mobile phone.

Furthermore, the Browser module 25 may be browser software that is of atype to be incorporated into a personal computer, such as InternetExplorer by Microsoft.

(Z) It should be noted that it is desirable to transmit an update kitwith the use of SSL (Secure Socket Layer). A WWW server 500 beingcompatible with SSL has a digital certificate pre-installed, andtransmits a digital certificate to the playback apparatus 200 whenhaving received an SSL request from the playback apparatus 200. In thedigital certificate, a public key is encrypted, and the playbackapparatus 200 authenticates the certificate. As a result of theauthentication, if a proper public key is obtained, it is judged thatthe WWW server 500 is reliable. Then, the playback apparatus 200transmits a common key that is encrypted with the public key. The WWWserver 500 decrypts, with a secret key, the encrypted common key havingbeen transmitted and shares the common key with the playback apparatus200. The update kit is transmitted and received with the use of thecommon key that is shared in this manner. A common key is used for thetransmission and reception of the update kit so that the encryptionprocessing can be performed at a high speed. As additional information,HTTP, mail, FTP, and Telnet are applicable to the transmission andreception of the data. Here, it is also acceptable to describe suchprocessing by the playback apparatus 200 with a dynamic scenario in aJava mode or a dynamic scenario in a Browser mode so as to supply it ona BD-ROM.

It is preferable that accounting settlement for distribution of anupdate kit is performed on a premise of having electronic commercialtransactions. In such a case, merchant software is incorporated into theWWW server 500, and wallet software is incorporated into the playbackapparatus 200. Also, the network shown in FIG. 1 is connected to apayment gateway provided at a banking institution. Credit cardsettlements are realized by using SET (Secure Electronic Transactions)in such a network. The playback apparatus 200 transmits orderinformation to the server 500 and also transmits accounting settlementinformation to the payment gateway. When having received the orderinformation, the server 500 transmits an update kit to the playbackapparatus 200. Since the order information and the accounting settlementinformation are transmitted separately, it is possible to enhance thesecurity level of the settlement. It is also acceptable to describe suchprocessing by the playback apparatus 200 with a dynamic scenario in aJava mode or a dynamic scenario in a Browser mode so as to supply it ona BD-ROM.

It is acceptable to develop a movie production into an on-line game byadding an update kit including a dynamic scenario to the movieproduction recorded on a BD-ROM. The dynamic scenario included in anupdate kit not only has a PL played back but also obtains data from aWEB site and has CG rendered.

Such a game has world-wide expansion via the Internet unlike a closedspace of a BD-ROM and is able to have users entertained for a longperiod to come.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1: BD Drive-   2: BD buffer-   3: Demultiplexer-   4: Video Decoder-   5: Picture Plane-   6: Audio Decoder-   7: Image Decoder-   8: Image Plane-   9: Adder-   10: Static Scenario memory-   11: Download Unit-   13: HD buffer-   14: Demultiplexer-   15: Switch-   15: Video Plane-   16: Control Unit-   17: Switch-   18: Switch-   19: Streaming Buffer-   20: Dynamic Scenario Memory-   21: Playback Control Engine-   23: DVD-like Module-   24: Java Module-   25: Browser Module-   26: Module Manager-   30: SD Memory Card-   200: Playback Apparatus-   300: Television-   400: Remote Controller-   500: WWW Server-   600: Home Server

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The playback apparatus of the present invention performs the playbackprocessing for a virtual package in which an update kit is added to whatis recorded on an optical disc, and effectively enhances the added valueto the optical disc; therefore, it is possible to supply movie discs tomarkets more intensely, and to energize the movie market and the marketsfor commercial-off-the-shelf devices. Accordingly, the playbackapparatus of the present invention has high applicability in movieindustries and the industries of commercial-off-the-shelf devices.

1. A recording method for recording a first digital stream and firstplaylist information on a recording medium having a package area using acomputer-based recording apparatus, wherein identifying the package areaby a predetermined file path; generating, with a generating unit, thepredetermined file path to contain disc identification information, thedisc identification information indicates, to a playback apparatus, aread-only optical disc to be used in combination with the package areaby the playback apparatus to generate a virtual package; and providing,in the first playlist information that identifies by showingcorrespondence between a file in the package area and a file on theoptical disc, a second digital stream that is recorded on the opticaldisk and is to be played back in synchronization with the first digitalstream, wherein the first playlist information includes informationdefining a playback path comprising a playback section of the firstdigital stream and a playback section of the second digital stream, andthe first playlist information is used in place of second playlistinformation recorded on the optical disc, by the playback apparatus togenerate the virtual package, wherein the virtual package is generatedby replacing a file included in the optical disc with a correspondingfile that is (i) contained in the package area and (ii) accessed by asame file name as that used to access the corresponding file included inthe optical disc.
 2. The recording method according to claim 1, whereinthe playback path information included in the first playlist informationindicating a starting point and an ending point of the playback sectionin the first digital stream in correspondence with a starting point andan ending point of the playback section in the second digital stream. 3.The recording method according to claim 2, wherein the package areaincludes a program recorded therein, and the program shows a procedurefor playback control using the second playlist information recorded onthe optical disc or the first playlist information recorded in thepackage area.
 4. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein theplayback path information included in the first playlist informationindicating a starting point and an ending point of the playback sectionin the first digital stream in correspondence with a starting point andan ending point of the playback section in the second digital stream. 5.The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the second digitalstream includes video data and audio data and the first digital streamincludes audio data.
 6. The recording method according to claim 1,wherein the second digital stream includes video data and sub-imagedata, and the first digital stream includes sub-image data.
 7. Therecording method according to claim 1, wherein the second digital streamincludes video data and audio data and the first digital stream includesaudio data.
 8. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein thesecond digital stream includes video data and sub-image data, and thefirst digital stream includes sub-image data.
 9. The recording methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the first digital stream, the seconddigital stream, the first playlist information, the second playlistinformation are each contained in a file recorded in the package area,and the files containing the first digital stream and the first playlistinformation are each accessed by a file path containing a file name notincluded in a file layout of the optical disc.
 10. A playback apparatusfor playback of a first digital stream and a second digital stream insynchronization, the playback apparatus comprising: a mounting unitoperable to mount an optical disc to the playback apparatus; a secondaryrecording medium that is used in combination with the optical disc; agenerating unit operable to generate a package area on the secondaryrecording medium in such a manner that the package area is specified bya file path containing disc identification information that identifiesthe mounted optical disc; a downloading unit operable to download, froma network server into the package area, an update kit used to upgradethe optical disc; a reading unit; and a playback unit, wherein the firstdigital stream is recorded in the optical disc with first playlistinformation, the update kit includes the second digital stream andsecond playlist information, the second playlist information (i) showscorrespondence between a file containing the first digital stream on theoptical disc and a file containing the second digital stream in thepackage area, and (ii) includes information defining a playback pathcomprising a playback section of the first digital stream and a playbacksection of the second digital stream, the second playlist information isused, in place of the first playlist information, to create a virtualpackage, the reading unit is operable to read, based on the secondplaylist information included in the update kit, the first digitalstream from the optical disc and the second digital stream from thepackage area, and the playback unit is operable to execute, withreference to a time stamp attached to data contained in the firstdigital stream and a time stamp attached to data contained in the seconddigital stream, playback of the respective pieces of data insynchronization, wherein the upgrading of the optical disc is to performfile replacement to the file layout of the optical disc, the filereplacement is to replace a file included in the file layout with acorresponding file that is (i) contained in the package area and (ii)accessed by a same file name as that used to access the correspondingfile included in the file layout.
 11. The playback apparatus accordingto claim 10, wherein the second playlist information shows (i)correspondence between files in the package area and files on theoptical disc and (ii) a stream identifier identifying one of elementarystreams multiplexed into the second digital stream, the playback unitincludes: a first demultiplexer operable to demultiplex a part of thefirst digital stream to obtain a video stream; and a seconddemultiplexer operable to demultiplex a part of the second digitalstream read by the reading unit to separate the elementary streamidentified by the stream identifier shown by the second playlistinformation, the synchronous playback by the playback unit is performedwith reference to a time stamp attached to data included in the videostream and a time stamp attached to data included in the elementarystream separated from the second digital stream.
 12. The playbackapparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second playlist informationshows (i) correspondence between files in the package area and files onthe optical disc and (ii) a stream identifier identifying one ofelementary streams multiplexed into the second digital stream, theplayback unit includes: a first demultiplexer operable to demultiplex apart of the first digital stream to obtain a video stream; and a seconddemultiplexer operable to demultiplex a part of the second digitalstream read by the reading unit to separate the elementary streamidentified by the stream identifier shown by the second playlistinformation, the synchronous playback by the playback unit is performedwith reference to a time stamp attached to data included in the videostream and a time stamp attached to data included in the elementarystream separated from the second digital stream.
 13. A playback methodby a playback apparatus for playback of a first digital stream and asecond digital stream in synchronization by a computer having an opticaldisc mounted thereto and a secondary recording medium used incombination with the optical disc, the playback method comprising thesteps of generating a package area on the secondary recording medium insuch a manner that the package area is specified by a file pathcontaining disc identification information that identifies the mountedoptical disc; downloading, from a network server into the package area,as update kit used to upgrade the optical disc; reading, and playingback, wherein the first digital stream is recorded on the optical discwith first playlist information, the update kit includes the seconddigital stream and second playlist information, the second playlistinformation (i) shows correspondence between a file containing the firstdigital stream on the optical disc and a file containing the seconddigital stream in the package area, and (ii) includes informationdefining a playback path comprising a playback section of the firstdigital stream and a playback section of the second digital stream, thesecond playlist information is used, in place of the first playlistinformation, to generate a virtual package, in the reading step, thefirst digital stream is read from the optical disc and the seconddigital stream is read from the package area both based on the secondplaylist information included in the update kit, and in the playbackstep, with reference to a time stamp attached to data included in thefirst digital stream and a time stamp attached to data included in thesecond digital stream, the respective pieces of data are played back insynchronization, wherein the upgrading of the optical disc is to performfile replacement to the file layout of the optical disc, the filereplacement is to replace a file included in the file layout with acorresponding file that is (i) contained in the package area and (ii)accessed by a same file name as that used to access the correspondingfile included in the file layout.